The Awakening

by Jana DeLeon

  “It used to be,” she said. “I’ve only eaten here once since I’ve returned home, but it was good then. Not much for variety, but if you’re a burger, ribs or steak guy, then I think you’ll be fine.”

  “Add a beer and that’s the four food groups,” he joked.

  She smiled and he saw her shoulders relax a bit, which was what he’d been hoping to accomplish. If she looked nervous, people might clue in to the fact that it wasn’t just a friendly dinner. If people thought ulterior motives were at play, they might not talk.

  “Let’s get inside and get some dinner,” he said. “I’m starving.”

  They climbed out of the truck and made their way into the restaurant. Tanner was surprised to see most of the tables were full, but they were quickly escorted to a table in the back of the room.

  “It’s busy,” Tanner said as he took a seat. “I guess that’s a good sign that the food is edible.”

  “Or that people are too busy or too lazy to cook.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, there is that.”

  As the hostess took their drink orders, Tanner took the opportunity to scan the room. The general volume had decreased when he’d walked in with Josie. He’d expected as much. He was a stranger and he was with the local town princess. People were bound to be curious. In fact, he was counting on that curiosity to loosen lips.

  When the hostess left, he leaned in toward Josie. “So, give me a rundown of some of the people here.”

  She nodded. “Anyone in particular you want to start with?”

  “The guy at the table up front with the red shirt on hasn’t stopped staring at you since we walked in. What’s his story?”

  She took a sip of water, glanced at the front of the restaurant, then frowned. “That’s Sam Walker. Local real estate agent, huge gossip and general pest.”

  He held in a smile. “So I take it you like him?”

  “I went to school with him, as I did with most every adult in Miel under the age of forty. He didn’t know how to shut up then and he still doesn’t.”

  Tanner nodded. Although he hadn’t spent much time attending school, he had a vague recollection of overhearing Sam’s verbal tirades more than once. Josie had nailed this one.

  Josie studied Tanner for a moment, then grinned. “He called the house this afternoon and asked me out.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. I told him I wasn’t interested in dating. He probably had a coronary when I walked in with you. He would never believe he’s not the best catch in town.”

  Tanner gave Sam a sideways glance. He couldn’t blame the man for trying but had to admit, he liked him even less than before when he was just some dude with a rude staring problem. “Don’t look now, but I think he’s coming over to clarify your policy on dating.”

  Her look of dismay left no doubt of her feelings about the Realtor, and he felt a smug sense of satisfaction.

  “Josie,” Sam said as he stepped up to the table. “I’m surprised to see you out. I thought you were too busy for socializing.”

  Josie looked up at him, her face the perfection of politeness. “Hi, Sam.” She waved a hand at Tanner. “This is Tanner LeDoux. He’s helping me with a situation concerning the construction.”

  Sam looked over at Tanner and gave him a fake smile as he extended his hand. “Sam Walker. Nice to meet you.”

  Tanner shook his hand, squeezing it just a bit harder than necessary, and feeling an inordinate amount of satisfaction when the man flinched before releasing his hand.

  “So you’re in construction? So am I, of sorts. I own the real estate agency in town.”

  Tanner shook his head. “I’m not in construction.”

  Sam looked expectantly at him, clearly waiting for an explanation, but Tanner just stared back at him. Finally, it got the best of the man and he asked, “So, what is it you do, then?”

  “That’s Ms. Bettencourt’s business. I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “He’s a tracker,” Josie said. “Looking into the vandalism problems for me.”

  Sam’s eyes widened. “Well, I guess you meant it earlier when you said you’d be opening on time. I suppose a tracker won’t have any trouble finding the bear responsible for the damage.”

  “Or the man,” Tanner said.

  Sam yanked his head back in Tanner’s direction, his jaw set. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, but the only people who know that swamp well enough to escape detection are people who live here in Miel. None of them would take kindly to being accused of vandalism.”

  “Well, I guess if none of them are doing it, then they don’t have a problem, do they?”

  Sam looked back at Josie. “Do you really want to alienate the people in this town even more?” He shook his head. “I wish you’d consider my offer. It’s a good price. More than enough money for you to buy a new facility for your horses.”

  Tanner saw a flush creep up Josie’s neck.

  “I’ve already told you,” she said, her voice clipped, “that my family home is not for sale.”

  Knowing he’d been defeated, Sam held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just giving you an option. If you ever change your mind about any of this,” he said, and glanced over at Tanner, “you know where to find me.”

  He didn’t even acknowledge Tanner before he walked away. Tanner could tell by the stiff set in his shoulders that the Realtor wasn’t happy about the exchange.

  “What’s he talking about?” Tanner asked. “Someone wants to buy your property?”

  Josie, who’d been watching Sam’s retreating back, turned to look at Tanner. “I guess so.”

  “Has he pressured you at all?”

  “No.” She frowned. “Why?”

  Tanner shrugged. “I was just thinking if someone wanted the property badly enough, they might try to scare you off it.”

  “I don’t know of any reason someone would want it that badly.”

  “Oil, maybe? Have you had a study done?”

  “No, but that wouldn’t matter. No one in these parts lets the mineral rights go when they sell.”

  “That’s true enough. All the same, it’s something to keep an eye on.”

  A young woman with short brown hair stepped up to the table. “Are you ready to order?” she asked, looking directly at Tanner.

  “Ladies first,” he said, and gestured to Josie.

  The girl hesitated a second, then looked over at Josie. “What can I get for you?”

  “I’ll take the Cajun chicken dinner with steamed vegetables, please,” she said, then looked up at the woman.

  “Salad or soup?”

  Josie’s brow wrinkled as she studied the waitress. “Marquette?”

  The waitress frowned. “Yeah?”

  “I’m Josie Bettencourt. I remember you from high school.”

  Tanner took a hard look at the waitress, but no bells went off.

  Marquette studied Josie for a moment, then nodded. “I remember you now. You were a couple years ahead of me.”

  Josie nodded. “Your brother Rob was in my class. How is he?”

  “Good. He went into the Marines. Has a wife and a daughter.”

  “How nice.” Josie smiled. “Please tell him I said hello the next time you talk to him.”

  “Sure.”

  “Oh, gosh, I’m being rude,” Josie said, and waved a hand at Tanner. “This is Tanner LeDoux. He’s a tracker helping me with some vandalism I’ve had at my house.”

  Marquette glanced at Tanner.

  “Nice to meet you,” Tanner said.

  “You, too,” she murmured, then continued to stand there, staring at Josie.

  “I’m so sorry. I never answered you,” Josie said. “I’ll take the soup please.”

  The girl made a note on her pad, then took Tanner’s order of ribs, mashed potatoes and rolls. Josie watched as she walked away from the table.

  “Is there a problem?” Tanner asked.

  “What— No.” Josie looked back at him. “It’s j
ust that I haven’t seen her since she was a kid, really. I guess she was a late bloomer. I almost didn’t recognize her.”

  “She didn’t seem overly friendly.”

  “She was always quiet...you know, the odd kid who sat in the corner at parties.”

  “Was her brother the same way?”

  “Heavens, no. Rob was our star wide receiver and prom king. He was the most outgoing, friendly person you could ever meet.”

  Suddenly, a memory of Rob Pitre flashed through his mind. He remembered the talented running back all the girls were crazy about. With all the moving around, Tanner had eventually given up on making friends, but even if he had tried, Rob’s group wouldn’t have been accessible to him. They were all jocks and from the best families in town.

  He tried to remember if Josie had ever dated him, but couldn’t ever recall seeing them together, except in a newspaper picture of them as Prom King and Queen. He also remembered Rob as being friendly and polite, completely unlike the annoying Sam.

  He racked his brain for a memory of Rob’s sister, but came up empty. Apparently, Josie was right in saying she’d been a quiet one. Tanner usually noticed everyone. Even as a teen, he’d been more inclined to sit and observe than to get in the mix, but Marquette didn’t register anywhere in his mind. He glanced over at the window where the waitresses were putting in their orders to get another look at Marquette and caught her staring directly at them, frowning.

  He yanked his gaze back to Josie, who was unfolding her napkin and hadn’t even noticed the exchange. “Looks like we’ve accomplished our goal,” he said. “Don’t look now, but Marquette is giving us the once-over.”

  “You think she’ll talk?”

  “Yeah, and she’s in the perfect position to let everyone who comes in here know what she finds out. After dinner, we’ll head next door to the bar. I’d be willing to bet that by morning, everyone in Miel will know you’ve hired a tracker to catch the vandal.”

  “That or they’ll think I’m using it as a cover for living in sin.” She rolled her eyes. “Small towns. Bible Belt.”

  He grinned. “It would be a shame to let all that talk happen and not get any benefit from it.”

  She smiled. “And what makes you so sure that sleeping with you would be a benefit?”

  “I wasn’t talking about you.”

  Her mouth dropped open just a bit and a flush ran up her neck. “Do you always hit on the clients?”

  “I don’t know. You’re my first. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if they’re all as stunning as you.”

  Josie stared at him, apparently unable to formulate a good comeback. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the door to the restaurant swing open and Emmett Vernon walked past on the sidewalk as a little silver-haired lady walked inside.

  “Take a minute to come up with a good retort,” he said. “I’ll be back before the food gets here.”

  Before she could respond, he jumped up from the table and hurried out of the restaurant to follow Vernon.

  Chapter Eight

  Josie stared after Tanner, completely taken aback by his clear attraction to her and his abrupt departure. What in the world was going on with that man? For the first time since her modeling years, she felt as if she were in a whirlwind. It wasn’t a feeling she’d ever wanted to repeat. Control was much more preferable.

  “Josie, are you all right?” Adele’s voice broke into her thoughts and she realized her friend was standing right next to her table, and she hadn’t even noticed her approach.

  “Adele, hi. Yes, I’m fine. I was just lost in thought.”

  Adele patted her hand. “That happens to the best of us, dear.” She looked over at the empty place across from her. “I saw a very nice-looking gentleman hurry out of here. He didn’t say something to offend you, did he?”

  Josie smiled. “Not at all. In fact, he’d just finished hitting on me when he rushed out. I have no idea why.”

  “No idea why he hit on you, or no idea why he rushed out? If it’s the first, I say it’s because you look very beautiful tonight and he’s not blind. I’ve got no idea on the rushing off part. Who is he? One of those model friends of yours?”

  She frowned. “I didn’t make any friends modeling. Certainly, some pretended to be, but there were no real relationships formed during my brief career.” It was a shame it had taken her so long to realize that painful truth.

  “Well, he’s certainly handsome enough to be in a magazine.”

  “Yes, I suppose he is.”

  Adele laughed and wagged her finger at Josie. “Don’t even sit there and pretend to me, young lady, that you haven’t noticed an attractive young man who’s hitting on you. Why, if I were thirty years younger, I’d take a run at him myself.”

  “Thirty years?”

  “Okay, fifty.”

  Josie grinned, then leaned toward Adele and lowered her voice. “The reality is Mr. LeDoux’s good looks are not relevant at all, although I’m certainly not complaining about the view. The fact is, he’s only here because of you. Tanner is the private investigator you’re paying for.”

  Adele broke out into a smile. “Really? Well, that’s great news.”

  “He’s also a professional tracker, which is quite a handy combination given my problems.”

  “Has he found out anything?”

  “No, but he only started yesterday. Mostly, he’s been poking around.” She sighed. “And unfortunately, that started with looking into the background of all the workers, including Emmett.”

  Adele shook her head. “I don’t imagine Emmett will take kindly to someone poking into his private business, but I can see why Tanner thinks he needs to do so.”

  “It’s not just him being thorough.” She told Adele about her problems with the longtime foreman, especially his daily disappearing act.

  “What do you think is going on?” Adele asked, clearly worried.

  “I have no earthly idea. Maybe nothing at all to do with me or the construction, but he’s acting weird, and there’s got to be a reason for it. He’s not exactly giving Tanner a reason to take him off his radar.”

  “No. Tanner wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t connect all the dots. Is he staying at your house while he’s investigating?”

  “Yes, although I’m not exactly comfortable with the idea. I mean, I like having someone to rely on right there, but at the same time, living with another man wasn’t on my list of things to do.”

  “Especially one you’re attracted to.”

  Josie sighed. “Okay, yes, he’s totally hot.”

  “And?”

  “And nice, and interesting and a gentleman. All of which is irrelevant.”

  Adele shook her head. “I know you’ve had a lot to deal with since your daddy got ill and it’s only gotten more complicated, but try not to let too much life pass you by before you start living it again, instead of just walking through it.”

  Adele leaned over to kiss Josie’s forehead and then crossed the restaurant to join her friends.

  Josie glanced at the empty seat across from her and signaled to Marquette. Suddenly, a drink sounded like a really good idea. She’d been given entirely too much to think about before dinner.

  * * *

  TANNER CROSSED THE STREET several buildings up from the general store. Vernon lived at a cabin on Josie’s property, but there were a hundred good reasons for him to be in town that evening. Tanner simply wanted to make sure that whatever he was doing fell on that list.

  He walked up the sidewalk toward the general store, slowing as he approached the plate-glass windows that composed the storefront. Not wanting to draw attention to himself standing there, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pretended to be on a call. He shuffled a bit in place and glanced around, appearing to be looking at nothing, but a quick peek inside the store got him a clear view of Vernon, standing at the back counter talking to a clerk.

  He put the cell phone back in his pocket and strolled into the store,
taking an immediate right behind one of the many shelves of canned goods. Over the top of the rows, he could just make out the back of Vernon’s head. He was still standing at the counter.

  If he went to the end of the row, he’d be able to get to the row of goods immediately behind the counter. It might be close enough to overhear their conversation. Silently, he edged down the end of the rows and slid down the last row until he was directly behind Vernon and the clerk. He positioned himself directly in front of a shelf that had a cardboard advertisement on top of it that blocked the top of his head perfectly.

  “Ted, the girl’s lost her mind,” Vernon said.

  “Now,” Ted said, “she’s young and she just lost her dad. Lost her mother years before that. You know how close they all were. Can’t be easy on her.”

  “I’m not a total heel. I know the girl’s hurting, but she’s making some damned foolish decisions. How in the world she can even think about having a bunch of strangers living in her house, coming in and out like they was using a revolving door, is beyond me.”

  “Maybe she needs the money. There’s rumors that Franklin wasn’t doing all that well before he died. His medical bills couldn’t have been cheap, either.”

  “It would take a lot more than heart surgery to bankrupt Franklin Bettencourt.” Vernon sighed. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe she’s not as flush as I thought she’d be, but she had to have made some good money modeling. Franklin was always showing me a magazine with her picture in it.”

  “Maybe she spent it all. You see that kind of thing on the news all the time. Those young people, making all that money and putting it straight up their nose.”

  “That don’t sound much like Josie, but I guess none of us really know what she did overseas. What I do know is she’s come back with some bad ideas that are getting worse. You heard we had some trouble with the fences, right?”

  “Yep,” Ted said. “Sheriff Reynard was in here the other day, bragging about how he told her that what the wildlife did on private property wasn’t his concern.”

  “The man’s a jackass, but he’s not wrong.”

  “You figure it’s a bear?”

  “Of course it is. That’s still a problem, but it’s not a police matter.”