Tempted by the Soldier

by Patricia Potter

  “Yep.”

  “Be ready in twenty minutes.”

  Stephanie was already feeling better. The falls would clear her head, flush the bad memories away. Hopefully, they would give Susan a few moments of pleasure, as well. No matter how bad some days were, particularly when she had to put animals down, she would head for the falls and breathe in the mist.

  * * *

  CLINT SPENT WEDNESDAY morning setting up Mrs. Aubry’s computer. He made sure she knew how to use it and helped her send her first email to her daughter. He also left a set of easy-to-follow instructions and a list of websites he thought she might enjoy.

  He arrived back at the community center just in time for an appointment with Ethel Jones who had heard from her friend, Mrs. Aubry, that he was, quote, “a lovely man.” There had been nonstop phone calls after that. He apparently had become the most popular man in Covenant Falls.

  Mrs. Jones wanted free recipes. She didn’t have a computer because it was a “newfangled fad” that would eventually disappear. But she would love to have free recipes and, if he taught her, she could come to the community center once a week until she found the perfect cherry-pie recipe. She intended to win the city competition this year.

  Just after her was Herman Mann, an elderly, bearded man who lived in a cabin somewhere up in the mountains. He had bicycled in to pick up a few supplies and heard about “the teacher” at the community center. He didn’t have an appointment, but Clint had the time. The old gent wanted to know more about the history of the boarded-up gold mine not far from his cabin. Clint sat him down at the computer, showed him how to look up gold mines in Colorado and watched him wander through the choices.

  An hour later, he was still sitting there, lost with Mr. Mann in the stories of those mines. He thought it might be interesting to hike up there. Maybe after the dock was finished. He recalled that Josh had mentioned a travel adventure business. Abandoned gold towns would definitely be a draw.

  He didn’t mind these hours of instructing, or mentoring or whatever it was. He was picking up bits and pieces of knowledge ranging from recipes to gold mines, and he’d always had a curiosity about almost everything. He had time on his hands until the materials for the dock arrived, and he missed Bart even more than he thought he would. He didn’t much like being alone in the cabin, however comfortable it was. And he was rather enjoying meeting the townspeople, all of whom apparently had just become enchanted with computers.

  It was four thirty. He decided to go to Maude’s for dinner. He walked the three-quarter mile over there. It was already filling up. Maybe some of the guys he’d met Monday night would be there. He’d especially liked Nate and Tony Keller. Both, he knew, were bachelors.

  He was just opening the door to Maude’s when a strange car drove up, and Stephanie stepped out and headed for the door, a tall man following her. Clint held the door open for both of them. “Having dinner?” he asked as he eyed her companion. Tall. Good-looking. Midforties or so. Jealousy gripped him.

  “Taking out,” she said. She walked to the counter where Maude was just packing food in a box. The man paid for it, and the two left together. His gaze followed them. There was another person in the backseat. He didn’t see Sherry or Stryker as the man drove off.

  “Damn,” he uttered under his breath. Suddenly, dinner did not seem like such a good idea. He didn’t see Nate or Tony. He went to the counter. “I’ll have a hamburger and iced tea to go,” he told Maude.

  The woman looked at him sympathetically. “Stephanie has visitors from out east. Man and woman. They’re staying at the local bed-and-breakfast. I expect Stephanie wanted to show them the falls.”

  Ah, how he enjoyed the Covenant Falls buzz line. Not Stephanie and another man. Maude’s explanation was obviously meant to be comforting. Which probably meant someone had seen him and Stephanie together last night.

  Maude gave him his sack of food and he started home. Alone.

  He walked past the park, past the bench where he had kissed Stephanie, and she had kissed him back. He ached to hold her. Would she let her defenses down again?

  And he missed the quiet presence of Bart, and hoped with all his heart that he was happy to be back with Nick.

  “Ah, Bart,” he whispered. Damn. Now he missed both Bart and Stephanie.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE FALLS WERE exactly what Stephanie needed. Susan, as well, if the smile on her face was any indication. The sheer breathtaking beauty of the falls blocked, at least temporarily, the ugliness of their conversation. The mist freshened the air.

  Maude had made a special effort with their dinner. The box was piled high with chicken, veggies, salad with fresh strawberries, potato salad and pie. More food than Stephanie had ordered. The wine she had brought was crisp. They feasted with the sound of the falls as musical accompaniment. It was as if they silently agreed to speak no more of Boston. Instead, Stephanie regaled them with the history of Covenant Falls and its denizens, all in an affectionate way. Sometime during the conversation, they moved to a first-name basis.

  “You make me want to move to Covenant Falls,” David said. “No suits, no ties. No traffic jams. No crime.”

  “Well, we do have our occasional crime. Our police chief was killed about five years ago by bikers passing through. And then recently we had a rogue police officer, but for the most part, we’re a very peaceful town.” She ran her fingers along the soft grass. “Probably the biggest problem—for me—is the town’s insatiable appetite for gossip or, as the mayor more politely puts it, an endless curiosity. No secret is safe. For long.”

  “And the nightlife seems quiet,” Susan said.

  “It is that, although we have several bars that the owners prefer to call saloons. One, which is located outside the city limits, is rough, but it caters mostly to cowhands from nearby ranches. They like to raise hell on payday.”

  David laughed. “I’m glad to know it isn’t perfect.”

  “It’s far from perfect, but it suits me. Mark wouldn’t last long in Covenant Falls. People here are pretty good on ferreting out the frauds.” They like Clint. Eve likes Clint. Josh likes Clint. Everyone who has met Clint likes him. But then most of Boston considers Mark a model citizen.

  “I’m sorry we’ve involved you,” David said.

  “I involved myself. And I rather imagine that Mark already knows about your visit.”

  “Are you worried about your safety?” Susan asked.

  “Not physically. Not anymore. I’m in search and rescue. I’m also a volunteer firefighter. There’s a lot of fitness necessary. I’ve taken self-defense classes, too. I’m pretty good at karate. And I’m a good shot. Mark doesn’t do direct confrontation unless he’s sure he can intimidate. He knows, or should know, or will find out, he can’t hurt me, not anymore. He might try something more subtle, try to destroy my practice, but people know me here. Not him. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind if he did try something. I’ve let him be a bogeyman in my life long enough.”

  Susan hugged herself. “Do people here know about Mark?”

  “They know I’ve been married. None of the details. That might change now.”

  “Not from us,” David said. “But I can’t say what Mark will do if he learns you’re talking to us.” He frowned. “The fact that you and Susan have similar coloring and frames worries me. It could mean he has a fixation that goes beyond normal. I’m going to ask my investigator to check on other women in his life. In the meantime, be careful.”

  Stephanie nodded. “It’s hard, if not impossible, for anyone new to go unnoticed in Covenant Falls, and the mayor is a friend. So is the acting police chief who, incidentally, also lives at your B and B. You might run into him.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you,” Susan said. “Just talking to you helped. I’m just sorry that I didn’t talk to you before I m
arried him.”

  “He’s charming. Wealthy. Respected. I can’t believe you and I are the only ones he’s victimized. If there’s enough publicity, maybe others will come forward.”

  It was getting dark when they left. “Mark will not let you go easily,” she warned Susan. “Good luck.”

  “We’ll keep in touch when we get back to Boston tomorrow,” David said as he dropped Stephanie off at her office. “Thanks for talking to us. It helps. I’ll let you know if anything else develops.”

  Stephanie waved goodbye and went inside. She checked the office phone. One missed call. No message. She didn’t recognize the area code.

  She took the dogs outside, all three of them. Lulu was becoming attached to Sherry, and that reminded Stephanie she needed to continue to look for a home for her. Eve was out now that Bart was back with Nick. There was Clint, of course, but she didn’t think that was the right fit.

  She got some treats and taught Lulu how to shake hands. The more tricks, the easier it would be to place her. By the end of thirty minutes, the puppy had caught on. She was a fast learner.

  She fed all three dogs. It was only nine o’clock and she was restless. She poured herself a glass of wine. Forget Mark.

  Think Clint. And the kiss that was like no other.

  Where was he now? Alone? She’d heard from one of her clients this morning that every widow in Covenant Falls had shown a sudden interest in computers. She smiled. He apparently had infinite patience. More proof that he was not like Mark. She couldn’t imagine Mark teaching anyone anything. Even his subordinates at the office. He’d expected perfection and if he found it lacking, the employee was fired.

  Her cell phone rang. She answered it. A pause. Then a hang up.

  The ID simply said, “Private Caller.” Calls on both her business and private phones. She didn’t like that.

  Maybe it was time to call Tony Keller and alert him there was a remote possibility of trouble. She would do it first thing tomorrow. No sense bothering him at night.

  * * *

  CLINT PACED THE CABIN. He’d read for a while. Tried to watch the television. There was a satellite dish in back and a varied number of stations, but after surfing through them, he gave up in disgust.

  Some of the overseas posts had satellite television, and he and his buddies usually confined their interest to sports. Tonight, he couldn’t find any that interested him. Hell, the Super Bowl probably wouldn’t interest him now. He was too preoccupied by a missing dog and an elusive woman.

  Damn it, he was jealous. That was an uncommon sin for him, mostly because he never cared enough about any woman. It was love them and leave them, and he usually liked women who felt the same.

  What did Stephanie want? He didn’t know, though he knew the attraction sizzling between them had grown stronger. So why had she run?

  He wished he knew more about her. For all that this town liked gossip, he’d heard precious little about their vet. Apparently, because she gave so little away.

  He had more computer appointments in the morning. Bill Evans said the phone had not stopped ringing and the man was thrilled. Clint wasn’t so sure he was, although he’d enjoyed his “students.” He had never lived in a small town, particularly an insular small town, and he was fascinated with the people he’d met. Most of them, or at least the ones he’d met, would do nearly anything for their neighbors and their town. It was so different from large cities where even next-door neighbors often didn’t know each other.

  He was too restless to stay still. He needed to walk. He only wished he had Bart with him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d bonded with the dog. He missed waking to Bart’s snoring, and the way the dog would lie on his back asking for his stomach to be rubbed. He missed the way Bart stayed at his side.

  He walked to the park and, still restless, he walked into town. It was after eleven, and everything was closed. A police car drove by, stopped, then the deputy said, “Oh, it’s you, sir. I’ve seen you around. I’m Cody Terrell.”

  “Just taking a walk.”

  “No problem. By the way, my granny’s coming to see you tomorrow. I offered to show her how to use a computer, but I think she was afraid I would think less of her if she didn’t catch on. I wouldn’t, of course. She can do a lot of things I could never do. You’ll probably see what I mean tomorrow.” He tipped his hat. “Good night, sir.”

  Clint grinned. He would look forward to seeing the cop’s “granny.” He continued on, walking on the sidewalk, until he was in front of city hall directly across from Maude’s. It was closed, of course. Stephanie’s office was several doors down from Maude’s, and the lights were on upstairs. She was home. Were her visitors staying with her? He was tempted to throw a stone just below the window like some fool in a movie. A crazy idea, and he quickly dismissed it. With his luck, he would miss and hit the glass and be arrested by Officer Cody Terrell.

  Then he noticed someone else looking at Stephanie’s building. The man was on the other side of the police station, back in the shadows. A big man, holding a camera with long lens. He snapped photos of shops along the street, but lingered on Stephanie’s office. Clint watched for several minutes, then decided to act.

  He strode over to the man. He was sure he hadn’t seen him in town before. “What’s so interesting?” he asked.

  “None of your business.”

  “I think it is. I live here. Do you?”

  “That’s none of your business, either.”

  “I think I’ll go over to that building you’re photographing and let the occupant know someone’s taking photos of her house. A big guy with a Boston accent. Maybe she knows you. Or,” he added, “maybe I’ll go to the police station. It’s not far behind you.”

  The other man cursed, then tried to walk away.

  “No, you don’t,” Clint said as he grabbed him. “Not until you answer me.”

  The camera fell from the man’s hands. He cursed and swung at Clint.

  A mistake. Clint had received military training from the best. He ducked and hit the guy in his midsection. It hardly made a dent. His assailant, moving faster than Clint thought possible for a big man, brushed it off and threw a punch that hit Clint’s chin. Pain shot through his head. The punch also moved them out of the shadow and onto the visible lawn of the courthouse.

  The man leaned down to pick up the camera, and Clint knew he intended to run. He tackled him, bringing him down despite the man’s twisting and turning. Clint’s hand brushed a holster on the man’s belt and realized he had a weapon on him just as his opponent directed a blow to Clint’s shoulder. Clint grabbed the man’s wrist, standing as the stranger stood. Then he threw the man off balance, and swung a lucky punch on his nose. Blood spurted.

  His opponent didn’t stop to inspect it. Furious, he struck out again, hitting Clint just below the eye, then aimed for his midsection. It was a glancing blow and Clint remained on his feet. So was the other guy who threw another punch, this time going for Clint’s chest. Clint dodged and the man’s fist barely struck his side. He kicked out, his leg contacting with the guy’s right leg, sending him to the ground. As the man fell, his leg twisted awkwardly, and Clint knew instantly it had broken. Swearing, the stranger writhed on the ground. Clint heard a siren and then a shout. “Police. Stay where you are!”

  Clint’s body stilled. Flashlight beams nearly blinded him.

  Patrolman Cody Terrell approached cautiously, gun drawn.

  “He has a gun,” Clint told Cody. “And, I think, a broken leg. And maybe a broken nose.” Cody searched the man, finding the gun. He took it while the stranger swore.

  Cody was joined by Tony Keller. “I was in the office when I heard the siren. What happened here?” Tony asked Clint.

  “I was walking past city hall when I saw him skulking around and taking photos of Stephanie’s office. I ask
ed what he was doing, and he took a swing at me. I defended myself.”

  The man on the ground groaned, then said, “Not true. He swung first.”

  Keller looked at Clint. “You don’t know why he’s here?”

  “Not a clue. Is he one of your residents?”

  “Not that I recognize.”

  Keller kneeled next to the injured man. “Care to enlighten us as to who you are and why you’re here?”

  “I want a doctor,” the man said.

  Keller examined the injured leg. The skin wasn’t broken, but the man was clearly in pain. “Could be broken,” Keller said in a conversational tone. “Who are you?”

  “Bolling. Karl Bolling.”

  “Identification?”

  “In my pocket.”

  Keller removed a wallet from the man’s back pocket. Cody held the flashlight so his boss could read it. “PI, huh. Boston. What are you doing in our town?”

  “I wasn’t breaking a law.” Bolling tried to move and groaned. “I want a doctor,” he insisted again.

  “Maybe not for taking photos, but let’s see, we have a clear assault case.” He glanced at Clint. “You do want to press charges, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I think I do.”

  “Why are you here, Mr. Bolling?” Tony asked courteously, but Clint heard a definite edge to it.

  “That’s privileged,” Bolling said. “And I wasn’t breaking the law by taking photos. He just saw me and swung.”

  Clint raised an eyebrow. “Not true.”

  “His word against yours,” Keller told the detective, “and I know whose word will be believed here in Covenant Falls. And as far as I know, PIs don’t have confidentiality anywhere in the country. Speaking of the law, do you have a Colorado carry permit for that gun?”

  Bolling didn’t answer.

  “Didn’t think so. I’ll add illegal possession of a gun to the assault charges.”

  “I want my camera back.”

  “I’m confiscating it for now,” Tony said, then used his cell phone. “Doc, I have two casualties here at the courthouse. Nothing major. Looks like a broken leg and maybe a broken nose in one, and one hell of a black eye in the other. Okay if I bring them over? The broken leg is in custody. The black eye is Clint. Yeah, he’s in trouble again. Okay. Five minutes.”