An Allegheny Homecoming

by T. R. McClure

  Her father nodded. “Want to talk about it?”

  She shifted in the chair and pulled her feet under her. “There’s no point, Dad.”

  “Is this about that man you went to see in Montana, or the Miami job?”

  Wendy had been sitting outside Harrisburg International Airport, waiting for Katie to arrive, when her phone had rung. She had half expected the caller to be Josh. But instead the caller was Katherine King, wanting an answer on the Miami anchor position. She had said yes.

  “You know I’ll never be Katie, don’t you, Dad?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “What are you talking about?”

  “You were always boasting about Katie to your friends, how she anchored a national news desk at twenty five, how she knows famous people, that she has a fabulous apartment overlooking Central Park.” She bit down on her lower lip. “That’s not me, Dad.”

  Her father leaned forward, put his hand on hers. “I don’t expect you to follow Katie’s footsteps, although I thought that’s what you wanted. I just want you to be you.”

  “I wanted to see the same look in your eyes when you look at me that I see when you look at Katie.”

  Her father shook his head. “When I look at Katie, I see a little girl whose mother deserted her, deserted both of us. Until Babs came along, it was the two of us. I guess I always felt she needed more attention than you did. You had your mother, your real mother. Babs and Katie were close, but not as close as you and your mom, because she had you from birth. So I always thought Katie needed more support, encouragement. I’m sorry if you thought I loved you any less, because I don’t. I love both of my girls.”

  “You don’t think less of me because I’m not in New York by now?”

  “Your sister is fourteen years ahead of you, don’t forget that. Your time will come if it’s what you really want. Don’t you want to go to Miami?”

  “I’m looking forward to it. Kind of.”

  “Good. I was hoping while you’re down there you can find us a deal on a two-bedroom condo. I hear it’s a good time to buy.” His face relaxed, his usual contented expression returning.

  “You’d really do that for me?” Finding an apartment to rent had been one of the issues weighing on her.

  He grinned. “Sure. You can live there, and your mom and I will have a place to stay when we come down in the winter.”

  “Thanks, Dad. That’s a load off my mind.”

  “Which leaves Josh Hunter.”

  She nodded.

  He leaned back in the leather chair and sighed. “From what I’ve heard, the man has a lot to come to terms with before he’s ready to—”

  “—commit. I know.” Wendy looked over at her father. His lips were pressed tight together, a rarity for him. That was okay. He had confirmed exactly what she felt in her soul. Before she and Josh had any chance of being together, Josh had to face his demons alone.

  * * *

  THE ONLY LIGHT came from the hallway. The floor was quiet, except for the occasional voice from the nurse’s station. Josh slept, but each time he woke his thoughts returned to Wendy. He closed his eyes, only to dream again.

  Dr. Reed stood at the foot of his bed.

  “You’ve made a mess of things, haven’t you, son?”

  “I’m sorry, Doc.”

  “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “It’s too late. Did you see Hank? He’s been in a wheelchair for eight years.”

  “What did I always tell you, Josh? Medicine is part science and part miracle.”

  “Merry Christmas, Josh. How are we feeling today?” The fluorescent light over his bed burned through his eyelids.

  Josh struggled out of the depths of a restless sleep. Beside him, a nurse was checking his IV. “You have to work today, huh? That stinks.”

  “Well, it’s Christmas, it’s snowing and I’m earning double time. Mom’s cooking dinner, and I get off at two. I’m a happy camper. What about you? I’ll bet you’re down because you’re missing a big family celebration. Don’t worry, they’ll probably all show up later to visit you.” She paused halfway out the door. “They’ll be bringing breakfast soon. Anything else I can get for you?”

  “No, thanks.” The door swung shut behind her.

  Big family celebration? He grunted. Hardly.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  A CURLY-HAIRED YOUNG woman dressed in a white lab coat strode into the room. “You ready to go home today?”

  Josh looked down at his one arm still in a cast. “I guess.”

  She peered at her clipboard and scribbled some notes. “You know, you’re lucky your girlfriend found you when she did. I hate to think of the condition you’d be in if you’d spent the entire night outdoors.” She patted his shoulder and smiled. “You’ll need help for a few weeks. You’ve been staying at the MacDougal ranch, I hear. I met Matt the other day.”

  “He’s a good guy. He’s come to my aid more than once.” Someday he would pay the MacDougal family back, but he had imposed long enough. He would manage. He always did. He gave the doctor his most charming smile. “So I can get dressed and go?”

  “You can, and while you’re doing that, I’ll write up instructions and give you a couple of prescriptions. I think your family’s outside, waiting to see you. Take care, Josh.”

  “Thanks, Doctor.” Josh sat up. The stab of pain in his side reminded him about the broken ribs, but he stayed upright. He kicked at the light blanket covering his legs.

  “Quit thrashing around, boy, before you end up on the floor and break something else.”

  Josh froze at the sound of the familiar voice. “Dad?” His father was standing in the doorway. “What are you doing here?” Then he caught sight of someone else. “Hawkeye?”

  “Hello, Josh. Got yourself in a bit of a pickle, I see.” The older man glanced around the room.

  Unexpectedly Josh’s eyes began to burn. He could only blink away the gathering tears. “I’m fine. You didn’t need to come all this way.”

  “Actually, I’m headed for California.” His chin dipped. “Figured it was about time I met my daughter and grandson.”

  Josh took a breath, as deep as he was able to given the cracked ribs. “That’s a huge deal.”

  Hawkeye nodded. “The time is right for me to make amends.”

  Josh looked at his father. “Are you here to tell me what a mess I’ve made of things again?”

  Shaking his head, his dad approached. He rested his fingers on the edge of the bed, as if afraid to touch his son. “I thought I could drive your truck back home.”

  Josh fought the familiar irritation at one of his father’s announcements. As usual, his dad spoke in bullet points, assuming the rest of the world knew what he was thinking. “Why would I want you to drive my truck home?”

  “Aren’t you coming back?” One dark brow lifted, exactly as it always did when he was waiting for an answer.

  Josh closed his eyes, but as soon as he did Dr. Reed’s ghost appeared. So what are you going to do about it? He had made the decision days ago, after he had been thrown and before Wendy found him. He had to make amends, too. He just didn’t know how. But here, part of the solution stood before him. He was going home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  “TOURISTS WERE STUNNED yesterday when an abandoned Jet Ski ran into a man in the waters of Biscayne Bay. Fortunately, the Miami Fire and Rescue team was nearby and took the man to the hospital. No sign of the driver of the watercraft.”

  Wendy turned to address a different camera. “And finally, on this Monday morning, a reminder that you have six days to find something special for Mom on Mother’s Day. Our chief meteorologist, Launa Starr, has the long-range forecast to tell us what kind of weather we can expect on Sunday.” She turned to the young woman
seated next to her and couldn’t hold back her smile. The dark-haired beauty was a bundle of energy, moving around the set with enthusiasm and charm. She had actually convinced Wendy to chase tornadoes with her and the crew just a few months earlier. The second time the meteorologist asked, Wendy had politely declined. Once was enough.

  Wendy relaxed for a moment, watching Launa explain the upcoming changes in the local weather. The Miami anchor position had been a good move, no doubt about it. New job, new location, new people. Maybe she’d finally get to travel.

  Launa pointed to a screen displaying clear skies. “No storms on the horizon, folks, so if you want to take mom sailing this weekend, it’d be a perfect time.”

  She didn’t think about Josh as much as she used to, either. Maybe only once a day now. She knew from her sister that Josh had come home, confessed to Chief McAndrews, who then went with him to see the Hershbergers. Her sister had featured the unsolved cold case on her new show, but had focused on the human interest element. It was the only way that Hank and Josh would agree to be interviewed. Vera had also gotten in on the act. Wendy chuckled. And here she thought interviewing a small-town teacher was too small potatoes for Katie.

  Wendy had watched the broadcast, fascinated at the outcome. The statute of limitations on what had happened that fateful night had run out, but the Hershbergers insisted they wouldn’t have wanted Josh charged, anyway. It had been an accident, and that had been that. Katie went back to work in New York, their parents were traveling through the Panama Canal, Walt had returned to Seattle and Wendy had no idea what had happened to everybody else. Did Sue and Brad get together finally? What about Hawkeye and his twin grandchildren? Did he ever meet them? And where did Josh run off to this time?

  “You’re zoning again, Wendy. Launa’s about finished.” The soft voice in her ear brought her back to the studio.

  “And if you can’t find time to shop, or sail, at least take your mom out to dinner. With all the choices we have in South Florida, you can’t go wrong. Don’t you agree, Wendy?” And the blue-eyed meteorologist beamed a bright smile.

  “You are right on the money, Launa. I vote for seafood.” Wendy focused on the main camera. “And that’s it for us today. We will see you tomorrow morning. Have a good week, everyone.”

  * * *

  JOSH STOOD IN the soundproof booth with the producer of the show. Wendy hadn’t changed a bit since she’d left him in Montana. Her hair was as dark and shiny as ever, although she sported a nice tan from the hot sun of southern Florida. For the third time that morning, he wondered if he had been right to leave her alone while he got his life in order. Six months had passed; she could have met someone. Heck, she could’ve gotten married. He strained to check her left hand, but she had it tilted to one side. “She’s not married, is she?” He nudged the shoulder of the man seated at the board.

  “Wendy or Launa?”

  Josh shot the man a puzzled frown, but, standing behind him, the expression was wasted. “Wendy.”

  “Are you kidding? She has a motto—”

  “I know. No men, no kids, not even a pet.” Her style seemed different, though it suited her. She had just a touch of mascara, and the coral lipstick looked perfect with her tan. Even her clothes were more relaxed. No more suit. She wore a yellow dress.

  “So what are you doing here?” The producer continued to move switches, still staring straight ahead.

  Josh took a deep breath. “Trying to get her to change her motto.”

  “Well, good luck.” He then spoke into the mouthpiece of his headset, “And we’re clear.”

  He and the producer watched as Wendy and the weather reporter laughed about something spread out on the desk in front of them. Wendy unhooked her microphone, stretched and made to leave.

  “Wish me luck.” Josh exited the booth and waited in the hallway outside the studio. His heart pounded with the anticipation of talking with Wendy after such a long separation.

  The door opened. Josh stood face-to-face with the morning anchor of the South Florida television station. “Hello, Wendy.”

  She froze. To her credit she didn’t make a scene. In fact, she didn’t do anything at all, except brush past him and continue down the corridor. Josh ran a hand over his face. He knew this wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t expected the news reporter to clam up. He turned in time to see her disappear through a door at the end of the hallway.

  The door had her name on it. He knocked and entered slowly. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

  Wendy sat in front of a mirror wiping her face and eyes with a moist towelette. Smudges of mascara appeared on the towel. Leaning closer to the mirror, she appeared satisfied with the results before picking up another bottle and smearing lotion on her face.

  Josh noted a desk in one corner was covered with newspapers and a computer. A small television screen hung on the wall. A local talk show was on. Josh noted from the tape that ran along the bottom of the screen the temperature was already 80 degrees and at only nine o’clock in the morning. Josh pulled the desk chair over to the makeup table and sat down. “Just give me thirty minutes. Then, if you want me to leave, I will.”

  Wendy stood and hung her navy blue blazer on a hanger and then stepped behind a screen. She still hadn’t said a word. Josh looked down, uncertain now as to what to suggest. He had screwed up. He should’ve come after her as soon as he had straightened things out back in Bear Meadows.

  “Thirty minutes.”

  Josh raised his head. Wendy had changed into white shorts and a sleeveless print blouse. Her face, devoid of makeup, had her looking nothing like the serious professional who had sat at the anchor desk just minutes before. He continued to stare, drinking in the sight of the woman with whom he had fallen hopelessly in love. The slight frown reminded him he had only thirty short minutes. Maybe twenty-nine now.

  He jumped up and grabbed her hand, not giving her time to refuse. He detoured to pluck a paper bag from the beverage station before they headed outside. He felt a tug as she tried to free her hand, but he hung on, gesturing to the park next to the bay. “Over here.”

  The look on Wendy’s face wasn’t promising.

  Josh chose a bench he had scoped out the evening before. The sun was making the water shimmer and sparkle, and there were a few boats just setting off. “I wish I had a skinny vanilla latte for you.” Did he see a slight smile?

  Wendy leaned back and looked out over the bay.

  “I brought cookies, though.”

  Wendy’s gaze slid downward at the bag between them. “Your mom’s?”

  “Mom’s homemade sugar cookies.” Reaching into the bag, he pulled one out and presented it to her. “They got a little broken on the trip. I had to stuff them in the saddlebags.” He glanced at an old motorcycle parked in the shade of a tree.

  “Thank you.” She accepted and bit off a tiny bite. “Wait a minute. Saddlebags? Where’s your truck?”

  He leaned back against the bench, like she had, and finished his cookie. “I sold it.”

  He said the words so casually, he liked how it sounded. A lot. He’d known it was the right thing to do. “What? Did you just say you sold your vehicle? Why?”

  He nodded. “Hank needed a special truck to pull his boat to the lake, so, with the money I got from my truck, and a little extra, we bought something he can handle. It’s pretty neat.”

  She gave him a long look. “I can’t believe you sold your truck. Where’d the motorcycle come from? It seems kind of old.”

  Josh gestured at the bike under the tree. “Hawkeye gave me his Panhead Harley. He said he and Betty used to take it out on Highway One, but he figured their motorcycle days were behind them. I told him I wasn’t sure about that and to let me know if they changed their minds.” His words brought a smile to Wendy’s face as she finished the cookie.

 
; Josh followed her gaze to the stunning bay. He had everything planned. Step one. Cookies from home. Step two. Explain what he had been doing for six months. “I apologize for how I treated you in Montana. I know you were just trying to help. I wasn’t in my right mind.”

  For the first time, Wendy directed her dark eyes at him and looked him full in the face. She waited a full minute. “Apology accepted.” She glanced at her watch. “Eighteen minutes.”

  He didn’t have a second to spare. “Lying in that hospital bed gave me a lot of time to think. I realized no good comes of telling a lie, that one lie just begets another. I couldn’t move forward until I went back and made amends. Hawkeye and my dad showed up. My dad rode back with me.”

  “How’s Hawkeye?”

  Josh smiled. Wendy still cared about the folks back in Bear Meadows. “He drove on out to California and met his daughter and grandchildren. He’s staying out there for a while.”

  “What about Skinny?”

  “He stayed with Joe in the mansion through the winter. Now he’s back at the farm.” He gave her a look. “As soon as I got home I went to see Mac McAndrews and told him everything.”

  “I know.”

  Josh gave her a puzzled look.

  “I saw my sister’s interview.”

  “About that... Your sister said you weren’t interested in participating.”

  Wendy shrugged. “I was already working here by then.”

  Josh reached for her free hand. When he realized he was holding her left hand, he looked down, just to be sure. Her ring finger was bare. “Your sister was fair. I could have been treated much worse by the media and people.” He laced his fingers through hers, and, when she didn’t resist, he felt the slightest encouragement. “After my cast came off, Hank and I started lifting weights in his garage. For his age, that man is strong.”

  “So you’re free and clear.”

  “Legally and every other way. The Hershbergers said they believed my remorse for what had happened was genuine. And it is. All they asked is that I go back to school.”