"I want to look nice. When I wear those clothes, I have more confidence."
Sherry slapped the table. "Exactly. That's what I've been trying to tell you."
"I need all the confidence I can get when I'm with Tanner, or any man for that matter."
"Fake it 'til you make it, my friend."
Madison opened her mouth to reply she wasn't sure how to fake anything, but a squeal interrupted her. She turned to find two women standing at their table with huge smiles. They both had a few bags so clearly they had been shopping. One was hugely pregnant and probably needed to sit down and rest.
"Sherry, I thought that was you," the pregnant woman said. "I told Lisa it was you, but she said it wasn't." The woman turned to Lisa. "I told you it was Sherry. And look, it's Madison, too. Gosh, we haven't seen you in years. How are you?"
With a jolt, and not a pleasant one, Madison realized the two women were Lisa Millstone and Carrie Eller. They'd been in the popular crowd at school and had made Madison's school years difficult.
Try awful and horrific.
Madison shrunk back into the chair on instinct as if waiting for them to make a remark about her red hair or her glasses, but then she remembered she didn't wear glasses anymore and the freckles had faded some.
"I'm fine, thank you." Madison forced the words between gritted teeth. "How are you?"
Carrie patted her large stomach. "Huge and ready to have this baby." Her smile grew wide. "Hey, are you taking new patients? When I have this little girl here, it would be great to bring her to a female doctor." Carrie bit her lip. "Not that your dad isn't great. He is. But it would be nice for a girl to see a woman doctor, you know what I mean?"
Madison shifted in her seat. Carrie seemed perfectly sincere and appeared to have grown out of her former catty demeanor. "I am. Just call the office when you're ready."
Carrie beamed. "I will."
Lisa eyed the huge mound of packages Sherry and Madison had amassed. "I see we've been shopping seriously. I do hope this is for a date with the sheriff. We're all rooting for you two."
Heat flooded Madison's face. "Oh God, does everyone know? It's so embarrassing."
Lisa laughed. "What for? You two look good together. I saw you both in the coffee shop the other day."
Madison pointed to Sherry. "When are you going to admit that you had something to do with that?"
"Guilty." Sherry raised her right hand as if in court. "Lisa and Carrie have been excellent partners in crime."
The waitress slid their drinks in front of them and drifted away without a word.
"It was fun," Carrie enthused. "As an old married woman with two kids and one on the way, I don't have much romance in my life."
"Three kids?" Madison asked. "That's great. Who did you marry?"
Carrie grimaced. "My first husband was Steve Trotter, but it didn't last." Madison stiffened in shock but tried not let it show in her face. Carrie and Steve had been one of the golden couples in high school. "He was a big, fat, lying cheater. I divorced him and met Larry. Do you remember Larry Poplar?"
Madison did. He'd been a nice guy but never in Carrie's league. "I do remember him. Congratulations."
Lisa sighed. "You had it right, Madison. Getting good grades and going to college before settling down. You're a doctor. That's amazing. I wish I'd done something like that. Not a doctor, of course. I'm not that smart. But something, you know. I have a crappy job as a receptionist at a law firm. My boss is a jerk. Always yelling and screaming about a case."
Madison was definitely in the twilight zone. These women were saying they admired her? "I'm sure you are smart, Lisa. You can do anything you want."
Carrie laughed and shook her head. "No, you can do anything you want. Us mere mortals have to take what we can get."
"There's nothing special about me," Madison protested, but inside she felt changed. When she'd come back to Springwood, somehow the town and the people had been frozen in time. She'd pictured everything and everyone as they were. Madison hadn't stayed the same, so why hadn't she given that much credit to the people around her? Life was hard on everyone. It was so basic, yet for all her IQ points she'd completely missed it. She reached for the bags on the chairs. "Would you like to join us? We haven't ordered yet."
Sherry gave Madison an approving smile. "That's a great idea. We can move all this stuff."
Lisa looked unsure. "We don't want to intrude–"
"You aren't intruding. I'd like to catch up with you both," Madison said. She really meant it. It was time to put a stake into the heart of her insecure past and move the hell on. This was the first step.
"We'd love to." Carrie grinned. She and Lisa sat on the now cleared chairs. "This baby has a craving for cheese. Anybody want to split an order of mozzarella sticks?"
They all nodded and Madison felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted. Things could be different if only she let it happen.
* * * *
Tanner's cell rang just as he was pulling into Chris's driveway. Logan had promised him to look into Fenton's background and hopefully that was what this call was about. He answered the phone but left the engine idling and the heater blasting.
"Hey, Logan. What's up?"
He heard Logan chuckle. "I'm calling about Fenton Jacks, of course. Plus another interesting development. Which do you want first?"
"Fuck you, Logan. You know what I want first. Talk to me."
Tanner loved Logan like a brother, but he could be a real pain in the ass. He loved to joke around long after Tanner had lost his sense of humor.
"Funny thing about Fenton Jacks. He doesn't exist. Not really."
"Really?" Tanner's gut had been right, as usual. Now that his suspicions were confirmed, he wondered why he'd ever questioned them. "Tell me more, my friend."
"Now I'm your friend?" Logan laughed. "What if I'd given you the news that Fenton Jacks was a fine, upstanding citizen and loved by all?"
"Stop stalling," Tanner growled.
"Man, you're easy to rile. Okay, so here's the scoop. Fenton Jacks doesn't exist. At least he didn't until he showed up in Springwood. The man has no past to speak of. It looks like he walked into town with a million dollar bankroll and some fake identification papers."
"At almost the very moment a drug war broke out."
"Funny coincidence, huh? I thought about that. Has he ever said anything about where he lived before he moved there? Family names? Anything that I can run down?"
Tanner snorted. "After what you've told me, I don't feel the least guilty investigating this guy. He wants to be my kids' stepfather? Screw that. I'm going to call the DEA agent I've been working with. Give him this guy's picture and info. Maybe they can run some facial recognition on him."
"Good idea. What can I do?"
Tanner admired Logan's workhorse attitude. He was a stalwart friend and nothing was ever too big a favor. "Fenton talked about a sister once. Natalie Harmon from Kansas City, Missouri. I don't suppose you could run that down while I pursue him? He has a picture of her at his house so I assume she's a real person."
"Got it. I'm all over it, Tan. I'll call you if I get something. Now for the other thing. Seth called me."
Tanner was immediately on guard. "Is everything okay? Is Presley all right?"
"They're great. This doesn't have anything to do with Presley." Seth's wife, Presley, had been in the Witness Protection Program due to attempts on her life by her boss. It had turned out to be something completely different, but Tanner knew Seth was still very protective of his wife. "Seth got a call from Marshal Evan Davis. He needs our help."
Davis had come across as a pretty capable guy when Tanner had met him at Seth and Presley's wedding. "With what?"
Logan chuckled. "He won't say yet. You know those Fed guys. It's all super-secret double-naught spy shit. He wants to talk to us about it. Can you be available for a conference call on Monday morning at ten?"
"Sure. I admit I'm intrigued."
"Me, too. Maybe
he's got another woman for Witness Protection. Hell, he only needs five more and we'll all be married. If that's the case, count me out."
An image of Madison floated into Tanner's mind. He'd given in to the strong feelings he had for her and asked her out on a date. Already he was anticipating her company. He liked being with her. She was easy to be around and she understood his job, or seemed to. Abby had forever harangued him about the military and then law enforcement. She'd hated the pay, the hours, and the danger. She'd never understood his need to help and protect. Madison appeared to share that with him.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Listen, I need to go. Stacey asked me to talk to Chris." Tanner sighed. "She's left him and taken Annie. I'm in his driveway now."
Logan whistled. "Holy shit, why didn't you say so? Do you think it will do any good?"
"No." It broke Tanner's heart to admit it, but Logan would know the truth if Tanner tried to lie. "Until Chris wants to get better he won't. He's working for Fenton now, for fuck's sake. It's gone from bad to worse."
"It probably ain't going to get any better very soon so buckle up for the ride, Tan. Are you going to say something to him or Abby about Fenton?"
"I don't have enough details yet. But the minute I do, I will. In the meantime, I just want to try and keep Chris sober."
"Good luck. You're going to need it."
Logan signed off and Tanner hung up, tucking his cell back into his pocket. He turned off the truck and walked up to the front door of the small, run-down house Chris and Stacey rented. It looked sad with its peeling paint and rickety shutters, reminding Tanner of the first house he and Abby had lived in after he got out of the Army.
The inside was more cheerfully decorated with bright, happy colors. Stacey had done everything she could to make the house a real home. Tanner had to admit he missed a woman's touch in his own house. More and more often these days it felt cold and lifeless.
Tanner rapped on the door and waited, listening for a sign of life. Chris's truck sat in the driveway so he should be home. Tanner banged on the door again but there was still no answer. He tried the door and it swung open easily. Whenever Chris had come in from a night of partying, he hadn't locked the door.
Tanner wasn't sure how long Stacey had been gone but the house was a mess. Litter was tossed everywhere along with a pizza box and a few empty beer bottles. He shook his head in disgust and headed back to the bedroom. Chris was in a lump on the bed, the sheets tangled around his waist. Even in sleep, his son's face was drawn into a scowl instead of peaceful repose.
Hardening his heart, Tanner grabbed the end of the sheet and gave it a hard tug, rolling Chris's body off the bed and onto the floor with a thud. He groaned and raised his head, blinking against the light as Tanner pulled back the drapes and let the sun shine directly into the room.
"Get up, son. We're going to have a talk."
Chris ran his fingers through his dark hair, but it was already standing on end. "Fuck you, Dad. Get out of my house."
"I paid this month's rent so I think I'll stay," Tanner replied, hating every word that was coming out of his mouth. No one had warned him tough love was tougher on the parent than the child.
Chris finally looked up, his eyes narrowed and his lips curled in a sneer. "It's just like you to hold that over my head. I told you I'll pay you back. Does it make you feel powerful to lend me money? Next time I'll ask Mom."
"Abby paid your rent last month. And no, I don't feel powerful. I feel helpless watching my only son piss his life away." Tanner leaned against the dresser and crossed his arms over his chest. "Stacey came to see me this morning."
That got Chris's attention. He wrapped the sheet around him and sat on the edge of the bed, his head hanging. "Is she okay? Is Annie alright?"
"She's fine. Stacey is at her parents' house. You want to tell me what you plan to do about this situation?"
His son looked up, rebellion written in the rigid lines of his frame. "She doesn't understand. She's always on my case. That job was a piece of shit. They treated me like crap and paid me worse. Things will be better now that I'm working for Fenton."
Tanner had to fight to hold his tongue about Fenton Jacks. He didn't know enough about the man yet. But he would. Instead, he concentrated on the task at hand. "Stacey understands you fine, son. You drink and lose job after job. It's not complicated. It is pathetic. You need to straighten up."
"For Stacey? For Annie?" Chris jeered. "When do the violins start?"
"No, for yourself. That's the only way this will work. You have to get sober for you."
"Fenton says there's nothing wrong with a guy sowing his wild oats."
His son quoting Jacks made Tanner want to bury his fist in the wall. "He's right. To an extent. But when a man takes on the responsibilities of a wife and child those days are gone. Tell me one thing, Chris. Are you happy? Are you enjoying being the biggest drunk in Springwood?"
There was silence and then Chris looked up, his eyes blazing. "Yes. When I'm with my buddies, everything's great. When I'm with you or Stacey, all I get is lectures. I'm tired of not being good enough for you. Mom and Fenton think I'm just fine the way I am."
Tanner exhaled slowly, frustration warring with sadness. "You are fine, son. You are also a drunk. The two are not mutually exclusive. You need to get help. Come with me tomorrow night to my meeting. Just once. Try it. Wouldn't you like to wake up just one morning without a rotten taste in your mouth and a pounding headache?"
Chris stared at the carpet. "I'll think about it, okay? If I come to the meeting, will it get you off my back?"
It was the best he could hope for. Chris had never even entertained the idea before. "Just come to one meeting. Library at seven. I'll come by and pick you up."
Chris shook his head. "No, I'll just meet you."
Tanner put his hand on Chris's shoulder. "Maybe we can get a bite to eat afterward. You know, talk."
Chris looked up, but the corners of his mouth were turned down. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Just the meeting."
Swallowing his disappointment, Tanner agreed. "Fine. I'll meet you a few minutes before seven in front of the library." He headed to leave, but turned back. "And Chris? Try and stay sober until then. Don't show up drunk."
Chris didn't answer and Tanner hadn't really expected one. He locked the front door as he left and climbed into his truck with a heavy heart.
The chances of Chris showing up tomorrow night were slim.
Chapter Eight
Madison and Tanner made small talk as he drove to the restaurant. He'd asked her about her day and she told him about shopping with Sherry and seeing some girls from school. Madison did not mention buying new underthings. When she asked him about his day, he vaguely answered something about taking his dog for a walk.
Dressed in khaki colored slacks and a navy sweater with a white collar peeking out, he looked and smelled really good. His jaw appeared to be freshly shaved and the tang of his aftershave tantalized her nostrils. Instead of tousled by the wind, his dark brown hair had been combed into submission. All in all, he was gorgeous. Her palms were sweaty and she rubbed them on her brand-new emerald green corduroy trousers. If she didn't calm down, she was going to stroke out before dessert.
"I hope you like Italian food. I don't come here much but this place is really good." Tanner pulled into a parking spot outside of a beige stucco building. "I think it's new since you left town."
He was around to her side of the vehicle before she could climb out of the car, offering her a hand, which she gratefully accepted. The parking lot didn't look like it had been plowed well. In the dim light, she could make out patches of ice here and there as they carefully made their way to the entrance.
"I haven't been here before but I do like Italian." Tanner held the door open for her and she stepped into the warm restaurant decorated in muted earth tones. The tempting aroma of tomatoes and garlic made her stomach growl and her mouth water. "It smells so good in here."
<
br /> Tanner chuckled. "It does, doesn't it? I'm glad you brought your appetite. I hate to see a woman pick at her food."
"No worries. I'm hungry."
The hostess led them to a corner table near the back of the restaurant. They shed their coats and settled into their chairs. A waiter magically appeared from nowhere.
"I'm Albert and I'll be your waiter tonight. May I get you something to drink? Would you like to see the wine list?"
Madison enjoyed the occasional glass of wine with a good meal but she remembered the conversation from earlier today. Tanner was waiting for her response.
"Not for me, thank you. Iced tea?"
"I'll have the same," Tanner answered. The waiter hurried away and Tanner placed his large, warm hand over hers on the table. "It's okay. You could have ordered wine if you wanted it."
Did he read minds as a hobby? She hurried to try and smooth it over.
"I don't really drink much. As a doctor, I'm on call a lot."
He smiled. "It's okay, Madison. I don't have any secrets. I'm sure you know I don't consume alcohol. I have a drinking problem."
The way he phrased it alarmed her. "Have? I'd heard you haven't had a drink in ten years." She winced at what she had revealed. She'd been gossiping about him, but he didn't seem fazed.
"It's been about nine and a half, actually. I say have because once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. There isn't a cure. I can never drink again. Ever."
The waiter slipped their glasses in front of them. "Are you ready to order?"
Madison hadn't even opened her menu.
"Can you give us a few minutes?" Tanner asked, his gaze never leaving Madison. She could have sworn she heard the waiter sigh, but he disappeared as quickly as he'd come.
"I didn't know," she said. "I guess I was too wrapped up in my own problems to recognize anyone else's. Dad told me today."
"Hell." Tanner grimaced. "I'm sure he was thrilled about an older, alcoholic man taking out his baby girl. Did he object?"
"No, but he doesn't get to do that. I'm a grown woman and I make my own decisions."
Justice Healed Page 7
