by Elsie Davis
“Intact is one word, and it means to leave something the same way you found it. In this case, his mother has a right to expect her home to be the same way as she left it.”
“Why’d she leave?” Cory asked.
“She had an accident and hurt her hip.”
“Is it all better now?” Cory pressed for more information, his four-year-old quest for information cute. But then David wasn’t the one who had to play twenty questions with the kid on a regular basis if this was the norm.
Ashley shook her head. “My goodness, you’re full of questions tonight. Mr. David says she’s getting all better, and when she’s all healed, she’ll come back here. And that’s why we’ve got to find another place to live.”
“All, shucks. I like it here. Maybe his mother could just live with us.”
David grinned. Neither his mother nor Ashley would like that option. Although it might be good for his mother. “That’s certainly something you could ask her if you meet her.”
Ashley shook her head. “Don’t fill him with any ideas. Cory, why don’t you go play with Kojak in the living room where I can keep an eye on you. Mr. David and I need to talk about the July 4th festival. You can even have your pizza out there, but don’t feed it to the dog.”
Cory’s eyes lit with excitement. Eating in the living room must be a big treat for the kid. “Okay, Mommy. Sorry, Kojak. No pizza for you.” Cory rubbed the dog’s head.
“Cute kid. Inquisitive,” David said, watching the pair of them play in the living room, Cory rolling on the ground with the dog.
“They get to be that way around this age. It’s non-stop questions. About everything.” Ashley took a piece of pizza from the box and put it on a plate.
“When does he start school?” David grabbed a couple of napkins and followed her into the living room to deliver Cory’s dinner.
“He’s a late-year birthday, which puts him right on the border of where he might have been able to go this September, but I’m thinking of waiting until next year to give him a chance to be my little boy a year longer and to mature for kindergarten. His attention span might not be what a teacher with twenty other kids in a classroom can handle.”
“I’m sure you know Cory better than anyone. If you think it’s better to wait, then you should. And if you’re still planning on leaving Hallbrook, it would be hard to start him in a school and then uproot him right away. Better to wait until you’re settled.”
David trusted Ashley knew what was best for her son, but did she know what was best for herself? At some point, she needed to settle down. Trent was crazy about Cory, and on more than one occasion had mentioned it would be good if Ashley stuck around this time. Apparently, the two siblings weren’t on the same page.
“True. I need the extra time to figure things out.” Ashley nodded, letting out a deep breath.
They returned to the kitchen, and David put pizza on a couple of plates while Ashley poured a glass of milk for Cory.
“Is sweet tea okay,” she asked, holding up the jug.
“Yes, thank you. Doesn’t your ex-husband have any say in where you move? I’m sure he misses Cory.” David knew he was crossing into seriously personal information, but Ashley’s situation with her ex baffled him, and he was hoping to find out more. Trent was worried about her. And if Trent was concerned, so was David. And then some.
“Probably not.” Ashley glanced at her son as if to verify he wasn’t listening.
“That’s odd. I couldn’t imagine not missing a kid like Cory. A bundle of joy in a four-year-old body.” David laughed.
“I agree, but then Joe and I are two different people. Which is why we’re divorced.” Ashley shrugged.
She surprised him by even answering, but her answer sounded all wrong. David decided to press for more. “I take it the divorce wasn’t amicable?”
Ashley’s eyes darkened, a quick indicator he’d gone too far. “I’d rather not talk about my personal life. I think we should stick to the festival plans.” She delivered the milk to Cory and returned to the table to sit opposite him.
Her refusal to discuss the matter concerned him. He cared about Ashley, and if Joe Stanton had done anything to hurt her or Cory, the man would have plenty to answer for, and not just to Trent.
“Do you have the list?” he asked, taking the hint to change the subject.
“I do. It’s right here.” She reached into her purse, pulled out the paper she’d stuffed there earlier, and slid it in his direction.
David glanced over their assigned projects. “It says here we have to make three signs and based on the details provided and then hang them at the designated spots. And there’s a box of five hundred flyers we need to pick up at Sally’s. We are supposed to hang them around town, in Glen Haven, and on the road to Lancaster. We also have three craft booths to erect. This is quite a list, and there’s not much time to get it done, considering we are both busy.” Not to mention, there were only two of them until Trent returned.
“Trent should be here in a couple of days.” It was as if she’d read his mind. “Maybe if we get the signs made and hung, and work on putting up the flyers, we can wait for him to work on the booths. The extra set of hands will come in handy.”
“Again, that’s a lot to do in a short amount of time. Are you willing to put in a few hours working with me every day? And what about Cory?”
“It’s not like we have a choice. We both agreed. We can meet at three p.m. the next couple of days to work on the flyers and signs. It’ll be something Cory can do with us.”
David couldn’t help but wonder if Cory was her insurance against him getting overly personal or of it was merely a convenience. Probably both. “I guess that will work. I’ll even bring Kojak to help keep Cory in line,” he added, trying to get on board with the plan.
“Great. And I’ll update Trent unless you talk to him first.”
“Sounds good. And Cory can help with the artwork on the signs.”
“He’d love that. And then if anyone comments on our lack of artistic ability, we can say Cory did it.” Ashley grinned. The smile tugged at the corners of his heart, reminding him of the numerous times he’d kissed that sweet smile.
“That’s a great idea.” David chuckled.
An awkward silence fell between them, Ashley fidgeting with the napkin in front of her. “I’ve got—”
“I should probably—” David started to speak at the same time. “Go ahead, ladies first.”
Ashley shot him a tentative smile. “Thanks. I need to talk to you about something. We have a problem, and I’m hoping you and I can work it out peacefully.” Her words and tone didn’t bode well.
David gazed back at her, giving her his undivided attention.
“Well, you already know that I’m searching for the bald eagle or a nest for the Audubon Society.” Ashley shredded the napkin as David waited for the bomb to drop.
She was definitely up to something or wanted something. If it concerned the eagle and her earlier pleas to postpone the burn, she would be sorely disappointed. “Yes. Did you find the eagle?” It would change everything if she had, but he didn’t think that was the case, or it would have been the first thing out of her mouth at the committee meeting today when she saw him.
“No, I haven’t seen the eagle. But I do think I might have heard it today out by one of the ponds.” Ashley looked at Cory as he played with Kojak. Avoiding his gaze more than likely.
“Were you planning on going back out there tomorrow?” David asked, knowing the burn was due to proceed bright and early in the a.m., and she wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the area.
“I was planning on it. The thing is, when I was out there, I came across something.” Ashley reached into her camera bag and pulled out a red flag with a logo emblazoned across it. The White Mountain Fire District logo.
“Where did you get that?” he asked, knowing the answer, but praying he was wrong.
“I came across it today while I was out searchi
ng one of the gridded sections on my map. In fact, there were a lot of them in a row. There was a twenty-foot-wide path cleared where they were located. Is it safe for me to assume that this is the line of your controlled burn?” Her eyes fixated on him as she revealed the crux of the conversation.
“Yes. The wide path is dug to give us protection to keep the burn from jumping the line to unintended areas.” He knew Ashley wouldn’t let this go, and unfortunately, they were on opposite sides of an issue. “Can you show me where you found the flag?”
Ashley pulled the map from her briefcase and opened it wide across the table. She took her pencil and drew a circle around one of the grids. “This is where I was today, and the dotted line indicates where I found the flags and the direction they ran.”
“That’s the southern perimeter of the prescribed burn. We’re scheduled to start in that area tomorrow and move north. You won’t be allowed back anywhere near there until we’re finished.”
“Tomorrow? Based on what you said, I thought I had more time. You can’t go in there and burn, not while there’s a chance the eagle is there. What if there’s a nest? Or immatures still using the nest? Please, can’t you stall the burn another week?” she pleaded.
“Ashley, I have to do my job. We don’t know there’s an eagle there. We moved up the burn because the weather conditions changed, and we need to take advantage. If we wait, the conditions could change, and we’ll have missed our last window of opportunity until later this fall.”
“But what about the bald eagle? Surely he has a right to federal protection if he’s living here.” Her voice bordered on desperation making him wonder what else was going on in her head.
“We both know a bald eagle’s territory can be roughly a couple of miles in all directions from where spotted. We also know he could have been passing through, if, in fact, the reported sighting is even accurate. That’s a lot of what-ifs and hypotheticals. We have a fire department to run. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s reality. These controlled burns protect the forest, the people that live in this area, our communities, and even the wildlife. We can’t put all that on hold for a suspected bald eagle sighting. I’m all for what you’re doing, but you can’t ask the fire department to stop a process that’s taken months to put in place, and that helps the greater good.”
Ashley sat back, her arms crossed in defiance. Clearly, it didn’t matter what he said, she would only see it her way.
“You’re the battalion chief, and you can do anything you want. Consider it a favor for me, please,” she begged. Her eyes filled with the tears, making it all that much harder not to give in to her impassioned plea.
“Battalion chief is third in command. I’ve got two other bosses ahead of me, including the fire chief, that say I can’t cancel it without a better reason than a suspected eagle sighting. And even if I was in Chief Anderson’s position, honestly, I’d have to look at the big picture. I’m sorry that’s not what you want to hear.”
Ashley stood and walked away, brushing at her tears with her sleeve. She turned back to him. “It always has to be your way, doesn’t it? The eagles are important, David, but they’re not the only reason. If I find a new pair of eagles nesting in the area, the coverage might just be what I need to make the job with National Geographic a shoo-in. I need this for Cory’s and my future.” He knew there had been more to her impassioned pleas for his help, but it didn’t change his answer.
“That’s not a fair statement given the situation. Give me proof, and I’ll stop the burn. It’s that easy.” David stood, realizing the evening had come to a crashing halt. So much for getting along and working together.
“I don’t have proof, and you know it. Only the reported sighting. The people were registered birders with a good track history. But I feel it in my heart, that he’s out there somewhere. I can’t explain it, just that I believe it.”
David started for the door. “I can’t change what’s scheduled based on a feeling, and you know it.” Kojak spotted him and ran to his side.
Ashley grabbed his arm to keep him from leaving. “What can I do to make you stop this?”
“Short of finding the eagle, getting an injunction, or having an in with Mother Nature to make the conditions unfavorable, there isn’t anything you can do to change the outcome tomorrow.”
Ashley dropped her hand. “Then I guess I have to find the eagle.”
“Unfortunately, you won’t have the chance in that designated area. We’ll be blocking it off first thing in the morning, and no one will be allowed near the area as a safety precaution.”
Ashley shook her head. “This is all wrong.”
“My hands are tied. I’ll meet you at Sally’s tomorrow at three to hang the flyers. If anything comes up with the burn that’s going to make me late, I’ll text you.”
“I’m not sure I want to work with you on the festival,” Ashley shot back at him.
“That’s up to you. There’s a lot to be done, and the people in the community are counting on everyone to pitch in and do their part. Surely you can put aside our differences and do what you promised to do.” He was goading her into sticking with the plan, mostly because he’d looked forward to spending time with her. But also, because he didn’t want things to remain tense between them, He much preferred the easy camaraderie they’d shared tonight over pizza.
“Fine. Three o’clock. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Ashley’s voice rippled with displeasure. So, she’d be there, but it wouldn’t change the tension or her dislike. That part was out of his hands.
“Excellent. See you there. Good night, Cory.”
“Good night, Mr. David. Thanks for bringing Kojak and pizza. He’s a great dog and my new best friend. Just like my bunny Jax.” David wished Ashley felt the same way about him. He turned back to her, hoping there was something he could say or do to make things better.
“I’ve got it,” Ashley cried out, a sudden smile lighting her face.
“What’s that?” he was almost afraid to ask.
“I can’t control Mother Nature, and I don’t have time to find the eagle, but…I can go for the injunction you mentioned. It was a great idea. Thank you.” She beamed.
David winced. This was a twist he hadn’t expected. He’d been teasing when he suggested it but leave it to Ashley to seize the idea.
Chief Anderson wouldn’t be pleased with the turn of events, and it would only bring negative attention to the fire department within the community. When the people of Hallbrook got wind of her righteous cause, they’d forget all about why David was doing the controlled burn in the first place. There was only one thing on his side that might help stop Ashley.
There wasn’t enough time for her to get an injunction before the burn, even if she could find a judge willing to listen.
Chapter Seven
Ashley dialed the number for the sheriff’s office the second the door closed behind David. She needed to find out what it would take to get an injunction to stop David and the White Mountain Fire Department from doing the controlled burn. And all by morning. It was the perfect solution, and she had David to thank for it, although he probably didn’t see it that way. But then it didn’t matter what he thought—her job was to stop him.
“Hallbrook Sheriff’s Department, this is Lieutenant Adams. Is this an emergency?”
Sort of. “Yes and no. My name is Ashley Stanton, and I’m part of the Bald Eagle Project for the state. I was searching for a nest today and came across the White Mountain Fire Department flags where they intend to start a controlled burn in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m familiar with their plan, and I’ve heard about your eagle efforts. The town is really hoping you’ll be successful.”
“Well, the problem is the burn runs the risk of running off the eagle and destroying the nest if there’s a mated pair. And if there’s an immature in the nest, there’s no telling what could happen. What can I do to get an injunction to stop them and give me more time t
o locate the bald eagle or a nest?” Ashley stopped pacing; her eyes closed as she prayed, hoping he’d have the answer she needed to hear.
“Well, ma’am, the judge has already gone home for the day, and I’m not sure there’s much we can do. I mean, have you spotted a bald eagle?”
“I have not, but I’m almost positive he’s near here based on the sighting and the timing of the report.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Stanton, almost positive is not enough to stop the fire department from doing their job.”
“The bald eagle is federally protected. You have to help me,” she begged.
“Ma’am, I realize the bald eagle is federally protected. Trust me, the best I can tell you to do is to go over to the courthouse in the morning and apply for an injunction. Unfortunately, by then, the burn will have already started. But you might shut them down early if the judge agrees with you.”
The man seemed genuinely sorry, and it wasn’t his fault things weren’t working out the way she wanted. Ashley thanked him and hung up the phone, her spirits deflated. She’d hoped tossing around the word bald eagle would help. Clearly, she’d thought wrong.
“Cory, honey. You need to put your pajamas on. We’ve got an early day tomorrow, and you’re going to go to Tricia’s again.”
“Yippee! I really like it here, Mommy. When can I get a dog like Kojak?” It was the same question he’d asked hundreds of time before. And she hadn’t expected anything different after he’d spent the evening playing with the friendly dalmatian.
She shook her head. “Someday, honey. Mommy’s got to figure out a few more things, and we need to be more settled. The timing’s just not good right now.”
“You always say that,” Cory answered, his lower lip dropping into a pout.
“Skedaddle. Bedtime. I’ll be in shortly to make sure you brushed your teeth and to tuck you in. Don’t forget to pick a bedtime story.” She smiled as he wandered down the hall to do what he was told.
