Starlight Dunes

by Vickie McKeehan

  “I’m aware we almost lost our son, Lindeen. But at some point you have to respect Brent’s privacy, his wishes. He’s asked you to butt out. I know because I’ve heard him do it before. He’s been patient about it so far, good-natured about it even, but since the explosion, I’m picking up changes in him.”

  “The disability thing again?”

  “Brent’s always been our adventurous one, seeking new undertakings at that. Remember when he up and joined the army and headed to Iraq. That’s our Brent. Now Ethan, Ethan’s always had a more creative side to him, less impulsive—and he’s showing that in his writing now. But since that night Brent woke up in the hospital, he’s having a tough time with something—something is troubling our boy, Lindeen. The medical disability is only part of it. He isn’t dealing well with hobbling around and having to fight to get his job back. They haven’t even given him the chance to return to work part-time, which is unusual.”

  “I think it’s a political ploy by his replacement, that Jim Richardson.”

  “Brent thinks so, too. Because politics are entering into the equation, he’s having difficulty accepting the whole downtime thing. I don’t know how to help him other than get his mind on something else.”

  Lindeen stared at her husband. “Like the security job?”

  “That’s the goal. There are rumors that this Richardson fellow is making plans to challenge Brent at the polls if he decides to run for re-election next spring. To be honest, I think Brent’s lost faith in the system. He gets injured and immediately his second-in-command starts a campaign to replace him—for good. I’m not sure Brent cares one way or the other though. In fact, he doesn’t seem interested in much of anything these days. And that’s what bothers me.”

  “Of course, he isn’t interested in anything else. He was seriously injured. He has to concentrate on getting better, getting his body to heal from all the injuries. That’s all it is.” But then Lindeen narrowed her eyes, beginning to catch on. “That’s the real reason you want to turn this security job over to him at this dig site, isn’t it? You want to get his mind off the explosion, get him focused on something else, anything else, other than his job right now and all the political ramifications, even if it’s a stupid rent-a-cop job.”

  “That’s right. That’s why I don’t see your fixation with River working out. My advice is to stick closer to home, shift gears toward Julianne again. But I’d be wasting my breath to try to talk you into anything. I know better than that.”

  “There’s no reason to take that tone with me, Marcus Cody. You know I only want what’s best for my sons.”

  “I know. So why not see if Julianne’s free for Saturday night. It’s just a meal. And who knows? Maybe it’ll work out this time.”

  “I really had my heart set on River though. Imagine what beautiful children they could make together.”

  Marcus shook his head. “Get over it. Right now we have bigger issues than dreaming about imaginary grandchildren. Brent needs something to take the focus off getting his job back. He needs some downtime, a breather.”

  “He needs to find out who did this to him.”

  “I know he does—and he will—but right now a mini vacation wouldn’t hurt, away from the grind and pressure of what he’s used to at the sheriff’s office.”

  “The dig site will be a mini vacation? I’m not so sure about that. What should I do then?”

  “If you invite Julianne, this time don’t be so obvious about it. Ask Ethan and Hayden to join us.”

  Lindeen’s eyes lit up, not really needing much more of a boost to get on board with the idea. “I’d get to spend time with Nate.”

  “There you go. Suggest they drag a reluctant Brent here along with them. Maybe then when he finds Julianne already sitting here, he won’t be able to kick up a fuss in front of everyone. Plus, he’ll be more open to asking her out himself.”

  “Good idea,” mumbled Lindeen as she went to the kitchen phone on the wall and punched in Julianne Dickinson’s number. “The local girl has to have the inside track, right?”

  “They say the home team always has the advantage. Let’s hope that’s true.”

  Chapter Six

  In sleep, Brent fought the feeling of being trapped in a fire. With every breath he took smoke burned his lungs. Caustic smells hung in the air making him sick to his stomach. He relived passing out, losing consciousness. He felt the pain all over again until his bones ached.

  The ringing in his ears grew louder.

  He came awake stretched out on the sofa. A minute went by before he realized someone kept on pushing the damned doorbell. On instinct, he reached for the .45 he’d slid under the couch then shook his head. No self-respecting bomber would ring the doorbell. Sitting up, he yelled in the direction of the front door. “Go away.”

  “It’s me, Brent. Ethan. Open up.”

  Brent sighed and reached for his cane. Hobbling all the way to the door, he brought it back with a thud and a snarl. “I’ve seen you more in the past three weeks than I’ve seen you in three damned years.”

  “I love you, too,” Ethan sang out as he moved past his brother into what used to be his own living room. It wasn’t until he turned that he spotted the weapon still gripped in Brent’s fist.

  “I’d love to say you don’t need that around here but I guess that’s a ridiculous thing to suggest after almost getting blown to bits. You want to talk about it?”

  “No,” Brent growled as he limped over to hide the gun in between the seat cushions.

  “Too bad. Mom wants you to come to dinner Saturday night.”

  “Why didn’t she ask me herself?” But even as he got the words out, he knew the answer. “Please do not tell me she’s fixed me up with someone.”

  “Okay, I won’t tell you.”

  “Damn it,” Brent said, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Tell her you couldn’t find me. No, on second thought, tell her you found me but I went to San Francisco for a fun weekend with a redhead. No, make that two redheads.”

  “If I’m going to go that route and lie, I might as well make it twins, barely legal,” Ethan said with a wink.

  “Nice touch. You know, I’ve been a good sport about this for way too long because it’s my mother. But hey, I’m getting fed up with her meddling in my love life. It’s none of her damn business.”

  “I hear ya.”

  “Want a beer?” Brent said making his way into the kitchen.

  “Sure.”

  “Who is it this time?”

  “Who do you think?”

  Brent let out a sigh, handed Ethan a beer and got himself one out of the fridge. “Not Julianne again.”

  “’Fraid so. She’s a nice person, pretty as a picture, too, but—”

  Brent didn’t let him finish. “Do you realize I’ve shared a meal with that woman more times than I have with Hayden over the years? And Hayden is my sister-in-law. That’s not counting all the times Mom’s begged Julianne to come over under the guise of hooking up. I even took her out to dinner once. We went to a movie afterward. We laughed. We talked until almost one in the morning. But there’s not a damned bit of chemistry between us. Julianne knows it, too. And she’s too polite to tell Lindeen Cody to buzz off.”

  “I thought it might be something like that. For what it’s worth, I do have a suggestion, although it’s pretty sneaky.”

  “Sneaky as in behind our mother’s back? I like it.”

  “It wouldn’t exactly be behind her back, more like, in-your-face or rather in-her-face. Not sure you’re gonna like it though.”

  “If it sends Mom a message, I’m in. What do you have in mind?”

  “How do you feel about asking River Amandez to a barbeque at the Cody house Saturday night?”

  This time Brent groaned. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “No, listen. It’ll work.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Look, do you want to spend another evening with Julianne where it g
ives Mom the slightest bit of hope you two might eventually get together?”

  “Not really.”

  “Then bringing River along might just send a message to Mom that you’re in charge of your own love life once and for all.”

  “I barely know the woman. We’ve had one conversation.”

  “Make it two. She’s already met the parents. She has a working relationship with Dad. It’s an inroad into why you’re bringing her to a family event.”

  Brent eyed his brother with open suspicion. “What do you know exactly? I want the truth.”

  “I didn’t want to say this but I happen to have insider info. They don’t want you hooking up with the archaeologist—at all. Mom did, but now she’s changed her mind.”

  That had Brent’s temper spiking for real. He cocked a brow. “So my mother gets to tell me who to date? I don’t think so. I’m afraid to ask but, what’s wrong with the archaeologist?”

  “For one thing, she isn’t local. She isn’t staying put here for any length of time.” When he saw Brent’s scowl, Ethan held up a hand. “Don’t shoot the messenger. The way they figure it River’s just passing through for a few months or however long it takes to excavate our ancestors. And keep in mind Dad isn’t happy about that.”

  “We don’t even know for certain it’s a Chumash settlement.”

  “Dad says it is.”

  “And he’s never been wrong before?”

  “The giveaway seems to be the canoe sticking up out of the ground. The markings are definitely Chumash.”

  Brent moaned. “I’ll have to take your word for it. With a bum knee I never made it to the hole to see for myself. This seems to be what my life is reduced to now. The county’s put me on medical disability indefinitely. And my mother is running my love life.”

  “How can the county do that? It’s been three weeks. How do they know you won’t be able to return to your job in record time?”

  “They don’t. It has politics stamped all over it.”

  “Ah,” Ethan said, beginning to catch on. “Jim Richardson. He was never shy about making it known he wanted the sheriff’s job, been angling for it since before I ever left the department.”

  “Exactly. And now with the explosion, I’m out on my ass. It all works in his favor.”

  “You aren’t suggesting Richardson could’ve done this to you, are you? Or hired someone?”

  “I don’t know what to think. All I know is I’m doing my best to get back to my job as quickly as I can before it’s gone. Why do you think I’ve been religious about keeping my PT appointments?”

  “Makes sense now. Okay, what do you want me to tell Mom about Saturday night?”

  Brent took a long pull on his Anchor Steam. “See, this is why I’m pissed. Not only do I have a guy breathing down my neck for my job—may even already have it locked up inside the department—but now every time I turn around Mom and Dad are sticking their noses where they don’t belong. How the hell am I supposed to convince River Amandez to come to a family cookout? At my age I’m too old for these stupid games.”

  “Do you want Mom off your back or not?”

  “Look, just because I show up with the scientist, doesn’t mean a thing. Chances are Mom will likely dig her heels in and try to fix me up with someone else like her hairstylist. Again. She did that, you know.”

  “Geez, I had no idea things were that bad. I mean, I was on the receiving end a couple of times but she let up on me…eventually.”

  “The whole thing’s a bit of a joke at work—behind my back of course—how Lindeen Cody tries to fix her son the sheriff up at every turn. Why the hell do you think I worked so much? I also turned down invitations to the house at least once a week out of fear—fear that I’ll walk in the door and some woman will be sitting there looking at me like husband material and want to go pick out places to register China patterns. You’re lucky. You were at least two towns away.”

  “Plus, I’m off the market now.”

  “Do you miss it? Being out there? Dating?”

  “Hell no.”

  “Does being a father ever scare you?”

  “Honestly? For a while it did but not anymore. Nate’s starting to crawl. Now you tell me something. Level with me. Are you done in law enforcement? Do you honestly believe this Richardson is out to thwart your return from within?”

  “Is that what Mom and Dad think, too?”

  “I know they’re worried about you. Are you burned out because of what happened?”

  “A little, I guess. But who wouldn’t be with the hours I keep. Is it obvious?”

  “Not to anyone outside the family it isn’t. But remember, you were the first one to recognize burnout in me.”

  Brent nodded. “I worried about you. A cop can’t sustain burnout for long before he endangers himself and others.”

  “I know you did. But my heart was never in law enforcement the way yours is. And as sheriff you don’t have to be out every day in a squad car.”

  “That’s true. Okay, here’s the deal. I want my job back. But the reality is I might be done. If I can’t win my appeal to get my job back and off disability status, they’ll wash me out of the department for good. Not only do I have to get a clean bill of health from the doctors, I also have to pass all the hurdles with the shrink. Trouble is, if it should happen, I have nothing as backup, nothing planned when I reach this point. I damned sure don’t want to work security detail no matter how pushy Dad gets.”

  “You’re in no shape to do it either, at least not yet.”

  “Exactly, so you know about his covert plan to get me to secure the dig site for the tribe? It’s another reason I’m ticked off.”

  “Yep. I know he’s angling for you to get more involved in the excavation on a professional level to keep an eye on things.”

  “Sounds like he’s expecting trouble.”

  “Let’s face it, dig sites are notorious for attracting looters and protestors. You know that. And there’ll invariably be a few of the tribe who show up to demonstrate against the archaeological site.”

  “Before I set foot on-site in an official capacity I still have weeks of PT left.” Brent took another pull on his beer, stared out the window. “I can’t imagine River Amandez agreeing to dinner at the Cody house.”

  “But it sure would needle Mom if she did.”

  “There is that. I’ll have to think about it though.”

  “Don’t wait too long. Women rarely like last-minute invites anywhere.”

  After mulling on it overnight, in the end, Brent took his brother’s advice. He hadn’t asked a woman out using such a ruse since high school. Since it was already Thursday, if he wanted to shore up a date for Saturday night he had to get his butt in gear. On that one thing he agreed with Ethan. Women usually didn’t go for last-minute invitations.

  Brent knew where to find her. At this time of day, she hung around the cliffs either making notations on maps she’d charted, or taking a slew of photos from the top of the cavern.

  He also knew his father had gotten off the phone with her two hours ago. Marcus Cody had given her permission to crawl closer to that hole in the ground as long as she promised not to remove any objects.

  Brent moved out the front door like a zombie dragging one foot. With all the enthusiasm of a man counting the steps to the hangman’s noose, he crossed Ocean Street. He looked out at the sun-kissed bay and the glistening water. He’d forgotten how pretty the little inlet could be this time of year.

  She was standing in the same spot as yesterday as if she’d spent the night there guarding what was hers. Today she had on jean shorts and a white top that already had smudges of dirt at the tail end. River Amandez didn’t seem to care about anything at the moment but plotting the stretch of beach.

  Veering off the concrete pathway, he stepped gingerly onto soft sand.

  She glanced up just like before but this time she sent him a hundred-watt smile. His heart did a flip-flop in his chest. A part of him felt li
ke that kid back in eighth grade again. He waited for her to make the trek down the hill to where he stood.

  “Hi there. I’d give you the grand tour but I doubt you could make it up the incline. Thanks to your father I got to slide down into the crevice today. It’ll have to be shored up some more before we get serious but I got some great shots to send to my team so they’ll know what to expect.”

  Her enthusiasm reminded him of a kid with a new birthday toy. When she finally paused to take a breath long enough for him to comment, he asked, “Where are they? Your team?”

  “It took them a couple of days longer to shift gears. They had to pack up the RV in the middle of Alabama marshland. That’s where we were working, a Coushatta site. We thought we’d hit the big time there until we heard about this one. Now we’re jazzed and ready to go.”

  “And Pelican Pointe is the big time? It’s a shame we don’t still have a newspaper. I’m sure the town would like knowing they’re now in the big leagues when it comes to the spotlight.”

  She cracked a grin. “At the moment Pelican Pointe is it. And to answer your question, I’d say about now my team is somewhere in Texas, in the process of crossing that stretch of I-10 and fighting boredom behind the wheel. They have close to eight hundred miles of highway to travel from border to border in Texas alone. I expect them here this weekend though. And if I know Julian he’ll try to stay on schedule as much as he can.”

  “How long were you in Alabama?”

  “Hmm, let’s see, almost five months. The place was a humidity nightmare that made for a brutal summer. Outside of the heat, among other things, we fought mosquitoes the size of bumblebees. I still itch at night just thinking about them.”

  “But it sounds like you were right at home. You certainly get excited about dirt. I’ve never seen a woman who had that gleam in her eye over mud and sand.”

  “True. Are you just out stretching your legs or what?”

  “According to my physical therapist it’s a requirement. How do you feel about barbeques?”