“What’s going on?” Quickly scanning the now quiet room and finding no active threat, he clapped a hand to the back of his head. “Ouch. That hurts.”
“I’m not surprised. You took a hard hit,” she said, peering into his eyes. “Your pupils are equal and reactive. That’s a good sign.”
“What about the rest of these men? What did you do, wipe out the whole gang by yourself?”
He saw Sam’s smile fade before she nodded toward where Lindy and Danny were.
“No. You and Ben did that. You finished the first man after Ben missed him. Then the other guy tried to shoot Danny and Ben dropped him with a perfect shot. It cost him his life.” She sighed noisily. “I think he used the gun he stole from you.”
John remained sitting, trying to take it all in while he waited for a wave of dizziness to pass. “Did you ever figure out what led to all this?”
“I think so. Ben was apparently doing some money laundering for a gang of criminals. When he got into the fight with you at the hospital and ran, they thought he was trying to either cheat them or steal from them and they sent a couple of thugs to settle things. Ben tried to explain himself when he got here but they weren’t in the mood to listen.”
John grimaced. “A fine hero I am. I came all the way up here to rescue you and missed half the fight.”
“You’re still my hero,” Samantha said with a teary smile. “Always were, always will be.”
“Do you mean that?” John was almost afraid to hear her answer but he’d had to ask.
“With all my heart,” she said quietly, allowing him to slip an arm around her and draw her closer.
“You’ve forgiven me?”
“Oh, yes. And I’m not angry at God anymore, either.”
“Were you?”
“Yes. I lost faith when I prayed and didn’t get the answers I thought I should. It’s taken me all these years to realize that most of the problem was my attitude, not what others did or didn’t do.”
She cuddled closer. “I was a part of something today that I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. A man I didn’t think deserved a second chance, no matter what, stepped up and proved me wrong.”
“Speaking of second chances…” John hesitated long enough to lift her chin with one finger so he could see her full reaction as he asked, “Will you marry me?”
“Isn’t this a bit sudden?” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her grin made her whole face glow as if the sun were rising to illuminate it.
“Not the way I look at it,” John said as he prepared to kiss her. “I think we’re about five years late.”
Samantha slid her arm around his neck and touched her lips to his for an instant before she said, “Better late than never.”
* * *
The slicker-clad police officers who burst into the cabin ready to do battle were greeted by a knot of survivors. John stepped forward to act as their spokesman.
Samantha deferred to him without argument, especially since he’d confessed to stealing a sheriff’s car in order to track her. He’d risked his career for her sake so she figured it would be best if she let him tell the whole story from his point of view.
It was hard to listen without interrupting but she managed to keep quiet. Almost. “There has to be at least one more person involved in this,” she added when John paused. “These were the two guys who grabbed Danny outside the hospital but there was another one behind the wheel of the getaway car. I didn’t see any sign of him when we got here.”
“We’ve already picked him up,” Sheriff Allgood said. “He was dumb enough to drive his own vehicle and leave the real license plate on it. State troopers nabbed him near the Little Rock airport. They think he was planning to fly out of the country.”
“So, this was all about money laundering?” she asked. “If so, where was the money coming from? Could it have been from selling drugs?”
John raised his hands as though he’d suddenly found himself on the wrong side of the law and wanted to surrender. “I never told her anything important about our investigation,” he said firmly. “She guessed. Honest.”
“It’s the only conclusion that made sense,” Samantha explained. “Ben Southerland managed money and these guys wanted something they thought he’d taken. If not drug profits, then what?”
The sheriff sent her a wry smile. “Are you fishing for a job as a deputy? I may have an opening pretty soon.”
Samantha’s first thought was that John was going to be fired. Then she remembered that he now worked for the police department instead of Harlan Allgood.
Her brows arched. “An opening? Who’s quitting?”
If she hadn’t been staring so intently at the sheriff’s expression she might have missed the flash of disappointment that lingered only moments before he answered, “Charlie Fox.”
“Charlie? Why?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
Samantha’s thoughts whirled. If Charlie was simply moving on to a different job there would be no reason for hedging. Therefore, he had to be in some kind of trouble.
She began to put two and two together. Her forehead knit in concentration. “Wait a second. Charlie was near my house on several occasions when weird things happened.” She looked up at John. “He was even there right before we found that last note taped to Brutus’s collar.”
The sheriff seemed interested. “Really?”
“Yes. Really.” Her eyes widened as she realized the importance of what she was implying. “If Charlie was involved with drugs and these guys were, too, maybe there’s a connection. Bobby Joe Boland is Charlie’s cousin.”
Harlan was slowly shaking his head. A lopsided smiled began to lift one corner of his mouth and he directed it at John. “You told me she was sharp. I had no idea how sharp.”
He turned his attention to Samantha. “Do you think you can keep a lid on this for a couple more days? I’d hate to have word get out that we were about to conduct a big drug bust and have the rats scatter before we can sweep them up in our trap.”
“What about my dog?” Sam asked, both hopeful and anxious. “Somebody still has Brutus. The last warning I got said they’d kill him on Sunday unless I handed over whatever Bobby Joe is supposed to have given me.”
“We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your dog,” Harlan said. “I can’t promise you anything for sure but we’ll try our best to get him back for you.”
The anxiety of the past few hours had already worn Samantha to a frazzle. Her concern for Brutus added an extra layer of angst. Her heart was heavy, her mood somber.
Then she looked over at Lindy and Danny, put herself in their place and couldn’t help feeling ashamed.
She slipped her hand through the crook of John’s elbow and held tight. Many prayers had been answered. There was an enormous amount to be thankful for.
Still, it was all she could do to keep from adding a silent But…?
EIGHTEEN
John had participated in the drug raids. All in all, the combined sheriff’s and police departments, with the help of the state police, had arrested seventeen criminals from three counties and there were outstanding warrants for more.
That left only one critical task to complete as far as he was concerned. He had to find Brutus. Unfortunately, no one who had been arrested would admit to taking the dog so John had begun cruising the back roads in his free time. It didn’t matter how slim his chances were. He had to keep trying. For Samantha’s sake.
Reporting that he’d had no success was one of the hardest things he’d had to do in a long time, yet he knew it wasn’t fair to keep her hopes up, especially now that Sunday’s deadline had passed.
She came out onto the porch as soon as he pulled up in fro
nt of her house. Her expression was expectant until he shook his head.
Climbing the steps he reached for her hand, clasping it gently. “I tried my best. None of the raids turned up any clues about Brutus. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“It’s okay. I’m not very good at accepting no as an answer to my prayers but I’m working on it. It’s really hard.” She sniffled and blinked back unshed tears.
“If there was anything I could do, Sam, anything at all, you know I’d do it.”
“I know.” She gave his hand a tug. “Come on. Let’s sit on the swing out here. It’s stuffy in the house.”
He let her settle first, then joined her and gave the glider a push to set it in motion as he gazed out across the green, grassy hills and native hardwood forest. “It’ll be winter soon. The walnut trees are already shedding their leaves.”
“I know. The Purple Martins migrated months ago, too,” she added. “I miss their singing, especially in the mornings when I’m getting ready for work. Hearing something cheerful like that would help distract me from what may have happened to Brutus.”
The catch in her voice made him slip an arm around her shoulders and pull her closer. Part of him wanted to reassure her that the old dog was fine in spite of suspicions that they’d never see him again. Another urge kept insisting that he offer to buy her a new puppy. Neither seemed right. Not at this point.
Samantha rested her head on his shoulder. “I know life is full of disappointments. I just can’t help wishing I had Brutus back. He’s already lived longer than big dogs like him are supposed to and I’d like another chance to make his golden years special.”
“I doubt he’d have had nearly as long a life if you hadn’t come to his rescue when he was little. You gave him a wonderful home and plenty of love.”
“But I wasn’t done,” Samantha protested. “I suppose I’ll have to get used to being alone.”
“Well, don’t get too used to it. You have promised to marry me soon,” John reminded her, planting a quick kiss on her hair. “Have you talked to Brother Malloy about performing the ceremony?”
“Yes. You should have seen the expression on his face when I brought it up. He said he’s been praying for us for years and…”
When she broke off in midsentence, John was afraid she might be fighting tears again. He was about to reassure her of his undying love when she pushed him away and jumped to her feet.
Mouth agape, eyes wide, she leaned over the porch railing and used her whole arm to point. “Look!”
At first he didn’t see what had gotten her so excited. Then, there was a swaying in the tall weeds that bordered the pasture to the west. He squinted. Noticed a dark shadow. Was he seeing things? If he was hallucinating he wasn’t the only one!
Samantha bolted, hammered down the steps and raced across the lawn.
A bedraggled, matted dog with its head held low and tail barely flagging met her at the fencerow.
She fell to her knees and threw her arms around its neck. “Oh, Brutus, where have you been? What happened to you?”
John was grinning from ear to ear as he jogged up to join them. “Too bad he can’t tell us. I imagine it’s quite a story.”
Rocking back on her heels Sam used her hands to do a cursory physical exam. “He’s covered with burrs and probably loads of ticks and chiggers but he seems okay otherwise.” She lifted the frayed end of a piece of rope that had been looped around his neck. “It looks like he chewed his way loose and escaped.”
“Which is probably why nobody would own up to taking him. They didn’t have him anymore and hoped they wouldn’t be blamed.” Chuckling and sharing her joy, John added, “If you want to give him a bath I’ll be glad to stay and help. Either that or you may have to fumigate your house.”
“And myself,” she said. Grinning broadly she got to her feet and dusted off her clothing. “I don’t intend to walk down the aisle at our wedding covered with spots from bug bites.”
“I’d marry you even if you had the measles,” John said. He started to reach for the frayed end of the cord, then realized how unnecessary that would be. There was no way Brutus was going to leave Sam. Not now. Not after all he’d obviously had to endure to drag himself back to her.
Judging by the old dog’s fatigue and the ratty condition of his usually shiny coat, he’d made a long, difficult trek. But he had persevered. And he had made it.
The comparison to their human lives could not have been more crystal clear if Brother Malloy had preached a sermon about it, John thought. He and Samantha had come a long way, too, had endured many trials and had finally found peace, love and forgiveness when they’d been reunited.
Someday he’d share that profound insight with her, John promised himself. Perhaps on their fiftieth anniversary. Right now, they had a dog to wash and plans to make for their future.
* * *
The case of Danny Southerland being returned to his mother’s custody was easy to bring to a close. Samantha’s personal involvement with the family had caused her to be replaced by an unbiased CASA volunteer but their reports had agreed. Since Lindy was now a widow there was no longer a threat of abuse. Therefore, the child would be safe in the family home and a judge had so ruled.
Lindy held her son’s hand and grinned at Sam as they exited the courtroom. “Thank you so much.”
“I was glad to be able to help. Is there anything else I can do for you? I know it has to be difficult right now.”
“Not as bad as I thought it might be,” the young mother said. “Ben had some life insurance that paid double for an accidental death, and the people at his firm have been very helpful—in spite of his foolishness.” She cast a sidelong glance at her son. “We’re adjusting well, I think.”
“I’m glad.”
“I heard at church that you and John Waltham are planning a wedding. Congratulations. When’s the big day?”
“Next month.” Sam felt a smile lift one corner of her mouth higher than the other and had to laugh at herself. “I can’t believe how nervous I am. I grew up in a dysfunctional family and there are times when the idea of getting married terrifies me.”
“Don’t be scared,” Lindy said. “I know there must be many couples who are blessed to be together.”
They fell into step and headed down the hallway of the courthouse. “What about you?” Sam asked. “Do you think you might ever remarry?” The astonished expression on Lindy’s face made her chuckle.
“Okay,” Sam said, “maybe it’s a little too soon for that question. Sorry.”
“My first and only duty now is as Danny’s mother,” Lindy vowed. “He’s been through enough trauma to last a lifetime. I’m certainly not planning to shake up his world, or mine, by getting involved in a romance.” She smiled. “I think that kind of thing is overrated anyway.”
Samantha laughed lightly. “I sure hope not. I’ve waited a long time to see my dreams come true.”
“Then I wish you the best.”
Lindy offered her hand and Samantha took it. “You, too. God bless you.”
“He already has,” Lindy said, turning an adoring gaze on her son. “Thank you for getting my son back for me.”
When Sam replied, “My pleasure,” she meant it with all her heart.
* * *
The wedding had been planned as a small, informal affair and had rapidly grown to include the entire congregation of Serenity Chapel and many of the law enforcement officers John had worked with over the years, as well as a small group of representatives from CASA.
Finally, the bride and groom had simply given up and had thrown the event open to all by extending a blanket invitation the way so many country folks did.
John’s biggest concern was whether or not Sam’s parents would attend and if they did, wh
at her reaction might be. He wanted the day to create the kinds of memories she would cherish, not be something she hated to recall.
He needn’t have worried. By the time of the service, Brother Logan Malloy and his wife, Becky, had taken care of everything. The flowers were arranged perfectly. Candles graced the altar. The main aisle was covered in a white runner and the organist had a list of the special music Samantha had selected.
There was one more astounding element. Not only had Sam’s estranged mother returned to town to attend the ceremony, Brother Malloy had refereed a family reunion of sorts and Samantha’s father was set to walk her down the aisle.
This breakthrough didn’t mean that all their past differences had been settled and all the hurt erased, but it was a good start.
John was waiting at the front of the sanctuary with his best man, Chief Kelso, when Samantha stepped into view.
The congregation stood and turned to watch her approach. Her gown was simple yet elegant, her veil as light as butterfly wings floating around her head and shoulders.
The moment John saw her radiance and watched her take her father’s arm, he knew. This was not merely an act of obedience to tradition, she had truly forgiven. There was nothing more he could ask for her sake.
For himself, he prayed fervently that he would be the kind of husband who made Samantha proud to be his wife.
Her gaze met his and held it. She smiled.
John’s heart was galloping and he felt himself sway slightly.
One more slow step. Then another. And another.
She released her father’s arm and reached out to John.
He took her hand.
They turned to face the altar, together, as the music faded away.
The pastor cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved…”
* * * * *
If you liked this book, be sure to look for
STANDING GUARD, the next story in
Valerie Hansen’s series THE DEFENDER,
coming in September, only from
Threat of Darkness Page 18
