by Paty Jager
“Maddie! Get Tate dressed. I’m taking you two with me!” Brock washed his hands and dealt slices of bread onto the counter. He pulled the cupboard door open and the phone rang.
“I’ll get it!” he called, crossing the room and snatching up the phone. “Yeah.”
“Brock?”
His good mood turned sour. “Yeah, it’s me, Johnson. Why do you sound so surprised? Did you sell my place without my knowing it?”
“I didn’t expect to find you there. Your pickup is parked in front of the police station.” The question in his voice wasn’t going to get answered.
“I loaned my pickup out.” Anger was replaced with worry. Why would Carina go to the police station?
“To that mutt you call a hired hand?”
“Who I hire is none of your business and neither is who has my pickup.” Brock hung up the phone as Maddie entered carrying her brother.
“Grandpa again?”
“How do you know that?” Brock went back to spreading peanut butter.
“Cuz your face is always red after talking to him and you look about ready to knock a hole in the wall.” She grinned, and he couldn’t help but smile back.
“You are too darn observant.” He pointed to the high chair. “Dump Tate in there and help me get these sandwiches made.”
When Maddie spooned jam onto the bread, Brock casually asked, “Did Carina say if she was going to do anything other than buy a camera?”
“She mentioned picking up some stuff at the grocery store.” She stopped in the middle of licking her finger. “Don’t worry Daddy. She’s only getting a couple of things. She knows not to spend a lot of money.”
“I’m not worried she’ll spend money.” Brock topped the sandwiches and shoved them in baggies.
“Take Tate out to the pickup and I’ll bring lunch.” When the door closed behind Maddie and her charge, he dialed the Halverton police station.
“This is Brock Hughes. Can you tell me why my pickup is in front of the station?” He listened as the woman went into detail of how they caught a baby snatcher.
When the woman stopped for a breath he asked, “What’s this baby snatcher look like?”
“She’s tiny. You’d think someone that size wouldn’t be strong enough to run with a child. Dark brown hair with a little red in it. You know, they say redheads are unstable. Just look at that wacko Carrot Top fellow on the commercials.”
“Can I talk to the officer who brought her in?” The knot started forming at the back of his neck. What happened? Carina would never harm a child.
“This is Officer Warren.”
The young voice squelched his fears. “I understand you have my nanny in custody.”
“This Brock Hughes?” The shock in the man’s voice told Brock they didn’t believe anything Carina said.
“Yes. I’m Brock Hughes. My nanny Carina Valencia went to Halverton today to purchase a digital camera and groceries. Why have you detained her?”
“I’ll be. She’s been telling the truth.”
“And what made you think otherwise?” Brock asked in his military voice.
“Well…you see…they say…”
“Who says?” He dropped his voice an octave and growled the question.
“The store clerks saw her run to the cart and act like she was going to take the baby. The mother screamed and Jason grabbed your nanny and waited for me to show up.” As he recounted the incident, his confidence came back.
“Did you ask Ms. Valencia why she was “supposedly” taking the baby?”
“She said it looked like the mother was going to smother the baby, and she was just trying to help.”
He relaxed, realizing it had all been a mistake. “That sounds like Ms. Valencia. She would never harm a child.”
The back door banged, and he knew Maddie had come in to see what took him so long. “Release Ms. Valencia and let her get home before the storm hits.”
“I can’t.”
“Why can’t you?” Brock yelled in the phone.
“I can’t find the mother to get her account of the situation.”
“Then you don’t have any reason to hold her if there haven’t been any charges against her. Officer Warren, let her go, or I’ll sue your department starting with you.”
He heard a squeak on the other end before the phone clicked.
“What’s wrong with Carina?” The worry in his daughter’s voice did nothing to quiet the worry swirling in his belly.
“I’m not sure. But if she isn’t back by dinner, we’re making a trip to Halverton tonight.
Fifteen
The drive back to the ranch was the most exhausting trip she’d ever taken. It didn’t help the weather turned nasty the last half hour.
Carina squinted through the snow flurries, trying to stay in the middle of the road. What would Brock say when she returned to the house? When Officer Warren walked into the room and told her Brock had vouched for her, she about fell out of the chair. How did she explain her behavior without telling him she killed her daughter?
The glowing light in the windows welcomed and terrified. She wanted to never stray from the ranch again. The drive was harrowing and then being treated like a criminal… but facing Brock and telling him the truth had to be worse than spending time in jail.
The headlights shone across the front windows when she parked. The door flew open and Maddie ran down the steps meeting her at the door of the truck. “You’re finally back. We were starting to get worried.”
“The roads were pretty bad. I had to go slow.” She motioned to the bags sitting on the seat. “Grab a couple of those and we’ll only have to make one trip.”
Maddie ran around to the passenger side and hugged two grocery sacks to her. Brock appeared as Carina took hold of two herself.
“We need to talk when the kids go to bed,” he said, leaning past her to grab the last bags.
Carina swallowed and hurried into the house. Maybe purchasing a camera wasn’t necessary. He could just kick her out for being arrested. Did he know what for? Probably, Officer Warren wasn’t about to withhold that kind of information.
Thankfully, Maddie chattered about their day and what all they did. Her cheerful conversation made putting the groceries away with Brock’s steady gaze on her a little less disconcerting.
“Maddie, take Tate and get ready for bed. I’ll be up shortly,” Brock said, never taking his eyes from Carina.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The room had become cold. Or was it just her nerves?
“Carina, will you read me a story?” Maddie’s questioning eyes asked more than for a story. She could see the child saw her agitation.
“Yes, I’ll be up after I have a cup of tea. The drive was nerve wracking and I can’t seem to get warm.”
Maddie smiled, tucked Tate on her hip, and headed up the stairs.
Chilled to the bone, Carina hurried to the stove with a kettle full of water.
“What was that all about today?” Brock asked, pushing his coffee cup to the middle of the table and standing.
“What was what all about?” She couldn’t deny being brought in by the police, but maybe, just maybe she wouldn’t have to tell him—everything.
“Dammit, Carina! You know what I’m talking about. I don’t like getting calls from Johnson gloating and hoping I’m in jail.” He crossed the room and grabbed her shoulders. “Why did you get hauled to the police station?”
“Oh, that. It was merely a misunderstanding.” She turned to put a teabag in her cup.
“People don’t get hauled to jail on misunderstandings.”
“They do all the time in Chicago. It takes a while to sort things out sometimes.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter to put space between them.
“So you’ve been arrested before?” The shock on his face made her reach out to him.
“No! I’ve never been arrested before.”
“I didn’t think the nanny service would send us a
felon, but damn, I need answers. You are the caretaker of my children. I won’t lose them or the ranch to Johnson or anyone because of you.”
That was it. He felt she jeopardized his life.
“I told you it was a misunderstanding. I overreacted when I heard a child in distress and the young mother overreacted to my help.” She swallowed. His brown eyes stared at her revealing no emotion.
When he didn’t say anything, she darted around him. “I’ll read to Maddie now.”
“What about your tea?”
“I’ll get it later.”
****
The next morning, Brock didn’t say a word at breakfast, but Carina felt him watching her.
“I’ll be busy today. We’ve got some fence to fix on the far end.” He swallowed the last of his coffee and stood.
“Do you want me to throw some sandwiches in a bag?”
“No. I’ll come in at noon. I’ll need to load some more hay.”
“Do you still have the list of the furniture you want to sell?” That is if you still want to keep me around.
“Yeah, it’s sitting on the desk.”
She listened to him put on his boots and coat. He hadn’t made any more mention of her arrest or her being unfit for his children. But his distance chilled her.
Maddie was already doing her schoolwork on the computer in the office. Carina picked up the list of furniture and ruffled the girl’s hair. She checked on Tate playing quietly in his playpen in the living room. Sitting on the couch, she looked at the list. His choices were good. She could see the pieces he chose bringing good money, yet not bother the family routine. She pulled the camera out of the bag, popped in the batteries, and wandered about the house.
She snapped pictures, knowing exactly who her mother would send the photos to first. Carina took several shots of each piece trying to get the best quality and show the lines of the furniture with limited light.
When the results satisfied her, she sat down at the computer. Using Maddie’s e-mail to send the photos to her mom, she added a brief account of why they needed buyers and top dollar.
Now her mother would have another link to her. She shook her head. Couldn’t be helped—this was business. Brock needed money.
Brock showed up at noon, downed soup and sandwiches, and headed back out to feed and continue checking the cattle.
Maddie begged to ride, so Carina bundled up Tate and they all spent the afternoon in the arena. Maddie riding and Carina wishing she could be on a horse beside the girl.
“Could you at least let me brush your horse and lead it around?” Carina asked, when Maddie finished riding and led her horse to the tack room.
Maddie smiled. “I don’t think Daddy would get mad at that. Here.” She handed Cookie to Carina.
She pet the animal’s soft nose and let the warm breath puff on her cheek. The thrill of holding the animal and running a hand over its strong, sleek neck shocked her.
“Horses are magnificent animals.” She said to no one in particular.
“I like them.” Maddie looked at her earnestly. “They’re better than most people.”
Carina hid her snicker and asked, “Why do you say that?”
“A horse is always happy to see you, and they don’t boss you around.” Maddie loosened the cinch and pulled the saddle from her mount.
“That’s true. I would imagine you could tell things to a horse you can’t tell anyone else. After all, who are they going to tell?” Carina joked, until she saw the surprised look on Maddie’s face.
“How’d you know?” she whispered.
“Know what?”
“That I tell Cookie things I don’t tell anyone else.” She put the saddle on the rack and returned with a brush. She handed it to Carina.
“I didn’t know you did exactly, but it makes sense to me. Everyone wants someone they can talk to who doesn’t judge or repeat what they said.” Carina brushed the horse. “An animal is the perfect friend for that reason.”
Maddie smiled. “Yeah. Like Daddy is always talking to Roscoe. If that dog could talk, we’d know more of what Daddy thinks and could help him when he’s sad.”
Carina turned to Maddie. “So that’s who your Daddy confides in.” She leaned down and whispered, “I thought maybe he spent so much time with the cows he lectured them.”
Maddie went into a fit of giggles.
“Put your horse up, I’m going in to make dinner,” Carina said, picking up Tate.
Less than a half hour later, Carina handed Tate a peeled carrot when heavy steps on the back porch followed by a knock startled her. They didn’t get company much and the footsteps weren’t Brock or Willie T. She wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to the back door.
Jack stood on the porch holding his hat in his hands. “Brock wanted me to tell you not to wait dinner for him. He’s got a cow having a hard birth. He’ll be in when the calf’s on the ground.”
Disappointment took hold before she realized his being out late would keep her from having to endure another awkward meal.
“Thank you, Jack. Are you sure he’s going to be okay out there by himself?” Clouds had been steadily gathering all afternoon, bringing dusk earlier than usual.
“He’ll be fine. I saw Maddie in the barn and told her.” Jack plopped his hat on his head and turned to leave.
Maddie ran out of the darkness. “I’m starving. Can we eat now, since Jack says Daddy won’t be home for a while?”
Carina smiled at the child. “Doesn’t it bother you when your father is out late?”
“No. He knows what he’s doing.” Maddie washed her hands at the sink in the mud room. “And I know mommy watches over him.”
Carina closed her eyes. Who watches over me?
“Are you okay?” Maddie asked.
Carina opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m fine. Wash up for dinner and get your brother, please.”
****
When the kids were in bed, Carina took a bath. After soaking until the water was tepid, she pulled on her night slip and wrapped up in a thick robe. She sat in the living room reading a horse book waiting for Brock. As the clock chimed ten, she heard a noise at the front of the house. Her gaze shot to the door with only a small hook for a latch. It wouldn’t keep anyone out.
Sitting straight up in the chair, fear prickled her skin. She hadn’t locked the back door knowing Brock would be coming home. The sound of footsteps on the front porch sent a chill down her spine. Who would be here this time of night? Jack went home, Willie T always entered through the back door. She pulled the robe tight around her and stood. She had to see who was out there and protect the children.
Walking quietly across the cold, wood floor, Carina took comfort from the wool rug in front of the door. Digging her toes into the pile of the mat, she pulled the curtain back only enough for her to peer down the length of the porch.
A man stood at the end of the porch. The silhouette of a paunchy belly wasn’t anyone she knew. Carina slipped the hook out of the latch.
“May I help you?” she asked, opening the door only enough to show her face.
The man started, then walked toward her. He squinted in the dark, as if trying to get a good look at her.
“You the whore Brock has living here?” The man’s contemptuous voice and comment sent her from guarded to angry.
“I am not a whore. I am the children’s nanny as if that is any business of yours, Mr.—”
“Johnson.”
She should have known by his attitude.
“Brock isn’t here. So you may as well leave yourself.” She pushed her weight against the door when he attempted to push it open.
“You aren’t being too hospitable.”
“Mostly because you aren’t welcome here. Especially at this time of night.”
“I came to throw some numbers at Brock. Show him how much he has to gain by selling this dump.” He pushed at the door and craned his neck. Carina knew he tried to get a look at her, and she wasn’t about
to let this man see her or set foot in the house.
“He isn’t interested. This ranch isn’t for sale.”
“How does a nanny know this? You seem to be awful cozy for just working with the kids.” The accusation in his voice turned her anger up another notch.
“Mr. Johnson, only people with their minds in the gutter would think the things you seem to be indicating. Now please leave, and I’ll let Brock know you were here.” With one last effort, she put her back against the door and pushed with her legs, closing out the man. Sliding the hook into the eye, she smiled with satisfaction.
He uttered foul words she hoped didn’t drift up to Maddie’s window. Listening closely, she heard an engine start up and drive off. Why hadn’t she heard him arrive? If Roscoe had been there, he would have sounded the alarm when the car approached. Maybe they needed two dogs; Roscoe, to help with the cows, and one to stay and guard the house.
Agitated by the man’s rudeness, Carina went in the kitchen and made herself a cup of hot chocolate. Settling on the couch in the living room, she sipped the beverage and drifted off to sleep.
****
Brock’s bones ached with fatigue. Between the heater blasting to thaw out his limbs and the fatigue from pulling the calf, it was a wonder he arrived home and hadn’t ended up in a bar pit asleep. He spotted the light on in the mudroom when he pulled up to the house. His heart raced thinking Carina waited for him.
Entering the house, he didn’t hear a sound. If she had been awake, she would have heard the pickup with its rumbling muffler and met him at the door. Or so he’d dreamed all the way home.
He peeled off his dirty, cold clothes and stepped into the small bathroom. Turning on the shower to heat the water, he looked at his tired face in the mirror. He needed a shave and a hair cut. He looked like an old hippie. But right now was not the time to make a trip to the barber in Halverton.
He stepped into the shower. The hot water stung, pelting his cold body. Lathering up, he wondered about Carina’s arrest. She wasn’t telling him something. He saw it in the fear in her eyes. What could be in her past that haunted her? Something he hoped wouldn’t jeopardize her time here. They had to keep her past the month that was just about to end.
