by Rachel Lee
Shoot, she thought. The way airlines operated these days, you could either accept that you were going to be locked in with nonrefundable tickets it would cost a lot to change, or you could offer them your firstborn child to leave your return open-ended.
Well, she finally decided, she was going to have to come back here one way or the other, whether she came only to put the house on the market or to stay indefinitely. Loose ends on both ends of this trip would have to be taken care of.
And what if Casey received a positive biopsy for cancer? Haley would certainly want to hang around in Baltimore a lot longer.
After another twenty minutes, she realized she’d drifted into pleasant dreams of last night, and shook herself sharply. Time was wasting if she wanted to get to Baltimore before Casey’s biopsy.
Finally, she bit the bullet, sacrificed more than she wanted to from her savings account and left her return open-ended. Done. She clicked the button to seal the deal, and before long her ticket and boarding pass showed up on her phone.
Modern convenience. However, she’d always preferred paper. Receipts seemed more real then.
She did take a few moments to write down her receipt number and flight information, and tuck it into her purse. Backup.
Maybe that came from her job, double-checking everything, making sure records were complete, verifying orders against labels. She certainly got persnickety about a few things. Almost OCD when it came to reading the contents of vials, solutions and bags.
Well, she’d get into Baltimore at a reasonable hour as long as she was willing to drive to Denver from here. A flight from Casper to Denver had been harder to find and arrival times for getting to Baltimore had been less than optimal. So drive she would.
She kinda liked the idea, too. It would feel good to be on the open road for a while, especially after feeling so cooped up because of that creep. She’d like to leave him behind for good.
But leaving Roger behind for good? Not so easy anymore. And definitely not easy if he wanted her to hang around.
Ah, heck. She felt as if she were being torn in two by competing desires. Life here was pleasant and would grow more pleasant with time. Especially if Roger wanted her. But she still felt strong ties with her home in Baltimore and her friends. Two parts of her were pulling in different directions.
Satisfied with her reservation two days hence, she felt a lot better. Rising, she opened the kitchen window curtains and blinked. It was as if last night’s rain had washed the air clean, leaving the light brilliant enough to hurt her eyes.
Oh, she had to go outside. Tossing her fears aside as ridiculous—man, nobody would bother her in broad daylight—she picked a book from her grandmother’s shelf and carried it out onto the porch with her.
Seated on the swing, she could see what an amazing blue the sky had become. Only now did she understand how much dust the air must have been collecting. It was gone now, the air clearer than glass.
Forgetting the book, she pushed herself slowly with one foot and simply drank in a gorgeous day. She could get used to this, too, she decided. Very used to it. A quiet morning, leaves on the tree-lined street rustling a little in the soft breeze, just warm enough not to need a jacket... Oh, yeah.
The day generated peace within her. Life had turned from a horror show of fear and memory into beauty. Last night. Now this. She felt as if she were being showered with blessings. An awakening of sorts.
Maybe she had dozed off. She didn’t know, but she was sure the light had changed a bit, as if the sun had moved. Then she heard a familiar click-click and looked around to see Edith walking Bailey.
“You’re going to wear your shoes out,” she called to Edith.
“That’s all right. The doc says this dog will keep me alive to ninety, all this walking.” She came to the foot of the steps, smiling. Bailey sat, tongue lolling as he grinned his pleasure in the day.
“I saw Roger earlier,” Edith said. “He was hanging some large sheets of leather over his front porch railing. To dry out, he said. I dunno, that much leather might be worth somebody stealing.”
“Around here?” Haley asked, patting the swing beside her in invitation. Edie immediately climbed the steps and sat beside her.
“Well, not likely. But some care needs to be taken.” Then Edie laughed. “As if he hasn’t been using his front porch railing for years as a drying rack. I’m getting a little old and crazy, I guess.” She eyed Haley. “Are you liking it here? Are you going to stay with us? The church group is still hesitant to descend on you because they don’t want to scare you away, and because they’re not sure you’ll stay anyway. Figure that one out if you can.”
It was Haley’s turn to laugh. “I won’t try. At this point, I’m a little up in the air, Edith. Saturday night I’m driving to Denver to catch an early-morning flight back to Baltimore. One of my girlfriends is about to have a biopsy and I want to be there for her.”
“But will you come back?”
Haley turned her head and looked at Edith. “You know, I want to. So unless something goes horribly wrong, I’ll probably be back very soon.”
“Good.” Edith nodded. “I’ll tell the gals to hold on to the casserole deluge until you come back. And I hope your friend is okay.”
“Me, too. So Bailey’s keeping you active?”
“You sound like a nurse,” Edie remarked. “Hardly surprising since you are. But, yes, he’s a big dog. I can’t walk fast enough to please him, I’m sure. But with two walks a day, we must do at least four miles.”
“That’s impressive! I need to do that, too.”
“I suspect you’re getting quite enough exercise taking care of this house. I promised to come help you and I haven’t. When you get back?”
“Absolutely.” She wished she was as certain of her return as Edie seemed to be. She’d learned at a very early age that life could throw curveballs, however. If Casey turned out to be seriously ill...well, she wasn’t at all certain that she’d feel comfortable returning here. Not while her friend would need all the help she could get.
“You’re worried.” Edie reached over and patted her hand. “Friends like you are a blessing. Your grandmother was like that to me. Flora and I went all the way back to childhood, and only my husband got in the way.”
A surprised laugh escaped Haley. “Your husband?”
“Well, you know men. He had all these ideas about dinner on the table when he came home from work, that the house needed to be clean, the kids looked after...”
Haley had to laugh again. “You’re more of a free spirit?”
“Always was. Flora and I were a lot alike in that way. I don’t think she was terribly sad when your grandfather died. Oh, she grieved, don’t misunderstand me. He’d been a big part of her life for twenty-three years. The operative words, as they say, were big part. Flora didn’t fit inside lines too well. Did you ever notice?”
“I never really thought about it. Maybe she showed me her more conventional side.”
“It’s possible. She could be conventional with the best when she needed to be. But there was a free spirit that always wanted to break out. If there’s one thing I would warn you about in this town, it’s that free spirits don’t fit any better here, and there are few places to hide. It’s gotten better with time, though. Much better. Unfortunately, Flora didn’t benefit all that much when she was younger and tied to an apron, the kitchen and a kid.”
“You felt sorry for her,” Haley said, surprised. “But what about your own situation and kids?”
“God spared me kids and I divorced the dictator years ago. And Flora wasn’t miserable. Don’t misunderstand me. There was just a part of her that was caged like a bird. But she loved her son, loved her husband and made her own choices. Sometimes, like everyone, she might have wished she’d made different decisions. Don’t we all?”
Haley thought about that
as Edith rose at Bailey’s insistence and resumed her walk with a wave.
Might have wished she’d made different decisions. Boy, that was loaded. It was also plenty of food for thought.
How many decisions was Haley making by default? How many had she made because of a childhood trauma or because her mother had taken her away from her father at an early age?
And now that she had a forked path in front of her, she hesitated. Why? Why did she feel pulled in two directions? Yeah, she had friends back in Baltimore, but she seemed to be growing a few here.
Well, she’d go home to be with Casey and decide how much her perspective might have changed.
It was possible that home might not feel like home any longer.
* * *
It didn’t take long for the gossip to reach Edgar. Oh, no. The church was having a bake sale, and he especially liked the cinnamon buns one of the women made. Every time they had a sale, he showed up to buy a dozen. They froze up well...if they lasted that long. He also felt comfortable there. The women, and a few men, recognized him and always made him feel welcome without pressing him in any way. He figured, too, that in this crowd he could melt away if he saw Haley.
It was while he was there that evening, staying out of the brightest lights as he walked along the display tables making his choices, that a conversation between several of the women caught his attention.
“Edith said to save up the casseroles and welcoming committee until Flora’s granddaughter gets back.”
Edgar’s ears perked. Gets back? He sidled a little nearer, pretending interest in a rhubarb pie.
“Where’s she going?” one of the other women asked.
“Back home, Edith says. She has a sick friend. Guess she’s going to be driving out tomorrow night.”
“That’ll make Roger McLeod sad,” another woman said wryly. “Since the girl got here, Roger’s been practically tacked to her side.”
The group laughed, a friendly sound, and Edgar moved on. Tomorrow night. His heart began to race and he hoped his hands didn’t shake so badly that he dropped the foil pan of cinnamon buns.
His chance was right around the corner. Tomorrow night. Pleasure spread a smile across his face.
And on the off chance that she changed her plans and didn’t leave tomorrow night, the liquid poison he’d made from those castor beans was ready. His backup plan, but still in place.
Yup, he wouldn’t have to live in fear of discovery for very long. And tonight he’d snatch the Suburban. He knew an isolated gate along the state highway to stash it until tomorrow night, because no one would miss it before then.
All his ducks were in a row. Yes!
Chapter 9
Saturday morning dawned with the same brilliant light as yesterday. Haley and Roger enjoyed a simple breakfast after a delightful night together. She could grow used to that, Haley thought. Nights in his arms, mornings spent laughing and chatting over breakfast. He seemed to wrap her in warmth and a sense of security.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to Denver?”
She shook her head but smiled. “I need to do this, Roger. Maybe it will help me get past my fears and make it possible to come back and be normal. I’d love to feel normal again. Or at least as close as I can get.”
“I understand. If that’s what you want, who am I to argue? But I’m going to miss you, darlin’. A whole lot. I hope Baltimore and your friends don’t snatch you back there, but I won’t ask you for a promise.”
She wouldn’t have been able to give it. Not yet. Not until she’d gone back to her own life, however briefly, to be sure she was ready to give it up. “Thank you. I’ll call and let you know when my return flight will be. It might take a few days to be sure about Casey.”
He nodded. “Keep in touch anyway.”
Her smile widened. “And you get some work done. I’d hate to think I had a hand in making your customers angry at you.”
“They get mad at me and they miss out on the best saddles in the West.”
She had to laugh. “I’m sure they will.”
He gave her a long, lingering kiss before he left, making her promise to call when she got to Denver so he’d know she arrived safely. “And when you get back, you’re going to come to my house and my shop and get to know me better.”
“Definitely.” She was touched that he was speaking as if her return was a foregone conclusion. He did want her back.
She dawdled a bit, enjoying recollections of their night together, then shook herself into action. Since she was flying, there was a limited amount she could take with her, and since she had no idea how long she’d want to stay, depending on Casey’s situation, the choices became even more difficult.
Basic street clothes, she decided, plus some grungies to hang around in the apartment she shared with Della. The two of them and a bottle of wine or a couple of beers could be a lot of fun when they had an evening on their own. So, something comfortable.
And pajamas. She almost forgot them because she certainly hadn’t worn them the last two nights. A giggle escaped her, followed by a sigh and closed eyes as memories returned. Man, she got hot just thinking about Roger. All the ways he’d touched her. All the ways she’d touched him. She suspected her hands and lips would never forget the way he felt and tasted.
Ah, heck. She needed to get going. She didn’t want to wind up driving into Denver after dark. Being unfamiliar with the city could make that problematic.
At last, a carry-on and a purse were ready for her to go.
She locked the house and stood in her driveway surveying the street. A beautiful, quiet street. Old trees fully leafed out, the sounds of children playing at the park two blocks behind her. So damn inviting. It was a bit like discovering a movie set, picture-perfect if a little worn around the edges.
Finally she climbed into her car and set out. Casey needed all her friends right now, especially if she got bad news on Monday.
This town didn’t drag on for miles as did the towns and suburbs she was used to back East. No, it cut off pretty quickly and then she was on the open road, with ranch lands on either side and only an occasional commercial truck passing her, headed the other way. She would have expected more traffic on a Saturday but had to admit she hadn’t learned the rhythms of life around here yet. Maybe people were busy catching up on chores with the help of their kids. Maybe grocery-store runs happened later in the day. Maybe parents were getting their kids ready for a new school year.
But Casper was a fair drive, too, and if people had wanted to shop there, they might well have left far earlier.
All of this was speculation, she reminded herself. When she returned, it would probably take her months to figure out the ebbs and flows of life in Conard County, certainly in town. The whole time she’d been here, the streets hadn’t been very busy.
Having the road pretty much empty in front of her gave Haley an opportunity to enjoy the open plain on either side of her and the next range of mountains looming in the foreground. When she turned south to Denver, she expected the traffic to pick up.
She passed a large, white vehicle backed up to a gate that guarded acres upon acres of open land. She almost giggled when she saw deer in the pasture grazing alongside cows. She wondered what the ranchers thought of that. The cows didn’t seem to mind.
In her rearview she caught sight of the brown-splotched Suburban pull onto the highway behind her, but it kept a safe distance. Probably someone headed home after fixing a fence or something.
She was making up stories, she realized, about things she knew nothing about. Amused, she wondered how she could fit them into a larger tale.
But with each mile she left Conard City behind, she felt the burdens of her fears lifting. That creep had really shaken her. Maybe he was the best reason for not returning.
But there was Roger. Twenty miles and he was
already calling to her like an irresistible song. A siren’s song, although weren’t they supposed to be female?
Her mood was lightening and she giggled at herself. She felt so free, free of bad things. She had so much good.
There was her grandmother’s house, a place she had always loved, a place filled with great memories and now filled with amazing ones because of Roger.
He’d always been special to her, a friend at all times. He was right up there beside Flora in her impressions of those summers. He’d contributed so much to a young girl who might otherwise have felt a little lost with no one her own age around.
He’d been older, but that hadn’t seemed to matter to him. A very special guy even when he was young.
She just wished she could quit linking the Peeping Tom to the kidnapper in her childhood. Two different people with different aims. One had wanted to use her to get money. The other just wanted to get his unsavory jollies. A very different thing. She needed to sever that connection inside herself and treat each as an unrelated event.
She did, however, hate how much this new creep had reopened her past, making it fresh all over again. Maybe when she was at home with her friends, they could help her get past this.
Assuming, of course, that Casey would get good news. She probably would. She was young, still, at an age where this shouldn’t happen. As if that mattered.
God, was she trying to be a Pollyanna all of a sudden? She was flying back home because she knew how scary this had to be for Casey, and knew perfectly well that the results might be even more terrifying. Cancer was no respecter of age.
She was vaguely aware that the Suburban was still behind her. Didn’t mean anything. Hadn’t Flora told her the ranch hands like to spend free weekends at the roadhouses to enjoy a few too many beers and maybe stir up a little trouble? Maybe the driver behind her had finished his work and was looking for a watering hole. Vaguely, from her drive up here, she remembered there was one just a few miles ahead.
