ABANDONED: Elkridge Series, Book 3, A novel

by Lyz Kelley

  For the next several hours, he plastered on a smile, shook a dozen or more hands, and found trivial things to talk about while she moved him from person to person. Most of the people he’d already met or seen around town, yet he constantly sought to find her. Just seeing her was enough to ground him again.

  Of course he recognized Jenna. Maggie and Claudia fussed over the overabundance of food while Harold and Bill Mason were off in a corner swapping stories. Ashley had introduced him to a couple of dozen more people before he figured out this was the gathering of the misfits—those who didn’t have family nearby. In the city, a single individual might be forced to pass the day alone, but not here. He took a seat at a quiet corner table with his back against the wall so he could observe. Ashley brought him a plate of food, then another. For the next hour, he ate until his belly was full to near bursting.

  Ashley leaned back in her seat, then turned and glared at the Christmas tree branch poking her in the head. He laughed and helped her untangle her hair from the prickly blue pine tree sporting an assortment of ornaments. He grinned when he noticed the tuna fish can wrapped in Christmas paper with a glittered cotton ball and a tree in the center. A couple of kids sat nearby, pointing at packages, speculating.

  Ashley laid her head on his shoulder. “I wanted to make this a special Christmas for you.”

  “I’m not used to celebrating things.”

  “Living here, a person gets used to it. This town celebrates when a kid learns to tie their shoes.”

  A clandestine joy stole across her face, and he reveled in her teasing nature. When he left in five days, he’d be leaving a piece of himself behind. He wanted to find a mason jar and fill it with her caring spirit and laughter, like the rare bugs he used to capture and study as a boy. He gathered her close.

  Jenna, in her usual direct manner, took a seat across the table. “So lovebirds, ready for some unwrapping?”

  Chase was so ready for unwrapping, but he didn’t think Jenna meant Ashley. Heat flooded his cheeks. He cleared his throat and sat up.

  Jenna’s face sparkled with delight, and she gave him a lopsided grin. “Better buck up because everyone’s coming over.”

  Chase looked over her shoulder, and sure enough, everyone was headed toward the Christmas tree to take a seat. For the next several minutes, Harold moved from table to table, depositing gifts in front of the attendees. If Chase had been smart, he would have taken off when Jenna told him what was coming, but he hadn’t been quick enough. When a wrapped gift landed in front of him, complete with a bright red bow and Christmas sparkles on top, a ribbon of tension encircled his neck and threatened to cut off his air supply. He surveyed the room.

  Ashley nudged him. “Don’t worry. Before we left, I labeled the tags from both of us.”

  Typical, generous Ashley. He knew people weren’t stupid, but he wouldn’t ruin the moment. He gave himself a stern reprimand and tried to relax back into the chair. He’d accept what the others offered, thank them, and figure out a way to make it up to them somehow.

  Claudia approached carrying an antique crystal pitcher, the one he’d seen in Ashley’s mother’s crystal cabinet. The woman had a suspiciously damp shine in her eyes.

  “I can’t accept this.”

  Ashley returned the hug. “Yes, you can, and you will. The bankers will come to take the house in a little over a week, and I can’t take much with me. I have no place to put it, and I want you to have it. Plus, you loaned me your camper.”

  “You are a dear.” Claudia held the pitcher to her chest. Then the round, cheery woman pointed at the parcels in front of him. “Aren’t you going to open your presents?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He ripped at the thin paper, then opened the plain white box. His breath hitched. He stared at Claudia and Harold. Astonished. A warm appreciation filled his soul. He picked up the heavy, round metal Vietnam coin and flipped it over. He’d been about to tell the man he’d come to respect that he couldn’t possibly keep the precious gift, but he changed his mind. No soldier would give up his gear or the things he treasured unless absolutely sure.

  He placed his other hand on the top of the coin. “Thank you. I’m truly humbled.”

  The older man nodded, and the couple walked away. When the right moment came, he’d find Harold to properly express his appreciation in private.

  Ashley hadn’t opened her gift, but she was looking at him the way Lucky did when waiting for a treat. Eager. Anticipating. She wanted him to open his gifts first. He held his breath while opening the next package, and laughed when the sardine label appeared. In a few minutes, a pack of gum, a chocolate bar, and a can of soup lay stacked in front of him. He chuckled imagining Harold gathering and enjoying selecting the grocery goods. He surveyed the spoils of the day then picked up the small rectangular box. For so long he’d believed no one wanted him but the military. In a few short weeks, he’d been proven wrong.

  Ashley slid another box in front of him.

  He eyed the package. “What’s this?”

  “Open it and see.”

  The red ribbon-wrapped package seemed too perfect to unwrap, but she waited, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. He didn’t rip the paper, instead taking his time to untie the bow and remove the tape. Pulling back the tissue paper, he found an antique hunting knife lying on a bed of cotton, a piece of paper nestled beneath.

  Ashley’s excited, impatient fingers took the document from the box. “I could only find a couple of pictures of my grandfather with the knife, but I know you like to know the history of where things come from. Plus, it’s small enough for you to keep with you.”

  She handed him sheets of paper with old black and white photographs and words neatly typed at the edges. He unsnapped the sheath and removed the blade, noting the weight and balance. Ashley leaned in, pointing out specifics of the knife, but the smell of her hair and the press of her breast against his arm played havoc with his ability to hear her.

  She turned her face to his. “I wanted you to have something of me, of my family, when you leave.”

  At that moment, the world slipped away, and he couldn’t fathom even being a block away from this woman. Something about her made him forget the commitments and responsibilities he had.

  For only a moment, life couldn’t have been more perfect.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ashley struggled through the door of Gwen’s shop, the stack of her mom’s clothing reaching above her chin.

  “Hey,” Gwen said, coming from the back room.

  “Howdy.” Ashley lifted and plopped the mound on the counter. “I found the missing button to the short jacket.” She placed the designer fastener on the edge of the cash register.

  “Heard your man is leaving tomorrow.”

  Her man? Guess he is. “Yep, Chase leaves tomorrow. I can’t believe the time flew by so fast. He needs to return a truck to a friend’s parents and then catch a flight back to North Carolina.” She glanced out the store front window. “There’s a storm moving in. Hate to say it, but I’m wondering if he should leave tonight to avoid the weather.”

  “Make sure you tell him to stop by and see Jenna to pick up some pastries before he leaves. Might tempt him to come back someday.”

  Jealousy squeezed her heart. She hoped something besides Jenna’s pastries would bring Chase back.

  “Did I hear my name?” Jenna asked, entering the store. Gwen’s face lit up when she paused beside her.

  “Hey, Gwen.” Jenna returned a genuine smile. “Made some chocolate drops this morning. I know you like them warm.” She handed Gwen a pastry box and turned to Ashley. “Saw your VW out front. About time that man of yours let you loose. Did you come into town to try out my new ginger spice cookie recipe?” Her brows drew into a severe line. “Before you say no, I should warn you—I’ll let the air out of your tires if you don’t.”

  Ashley laughed. “Nice threat. Chase decided to go for his last snowmobile run of the season before leaving tomorro
w. He’s been working hard, helping me pack. He came here for some R&R, but all he’s done is work, and he still seems a bit restless. I picked up the ingredients to make lasagna for dinner since he loves the stuff, and I can eat the leftovers if he leaves any.” She again looked out at the clouds rolling in. “Weather forecast says there’s a storm a-brewin’. I was just telling Gwen, I think Chase might be smart to leave tonight.”

  Jenna slipped her arm through Ashley’s. “Is that your excuse for making him go so he doesn’t break your heart?”

  Jenna always had to get to the basic ingredients of life’s challenges. “Whether he leaves today or tomorrow, I don’t think it will make much difference. It will hurt either way.”

  Gwen’s facial features softened in a puppy-cuddly kind of way. “Have a chocolate cookie. Chocolate helps everything.”

  Ashley reached up to hug her. “Thanks for being such a great friend.”

  Not comfortable with the attention, Gwen picked up the top piece of clothing. “I’ll stop by later for a taste of those cookies. I want to get these clothes sorted and priced. On consignment, same as before?”

  “Yes, if you don’t mind.”

  “Gotcha. Let me get to work on this. See you two in a bit.”

  Taking the hint, Ashley moved toward the door.

  Jenna gave her a scrutinizing glare when they stopped at the edge of the sidewalk. “You have that ‘haven’t slept in days sex goddess’ thing going on, but that ‘baby deer whose mom’s gone missing’ look has me concerned.”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  “That’s my job, sister, and I’m glad I spotted your car. Maggie wants to offer you a job at the café. And one of her renters moved out. It’s not much, needs some paint, but the cabin rent is cheap. You’ll have somewhere to live until you decide what to do next. Maggie says she’ll let Lucky stay with you. You can start moving in now if you want.”

  Laughter and tears threatened. “That’s awesome. We’ll be neighbors. But waitressing? Me?”

  “If I learned to do it, so can you.”

  “I know Maggie’s doing better at the café, but not well enough to hire someone until the summer, when tourism starts up again. Thanks, but I refuse to transfer my problems.”

  “The Bailiff sisters are looking for some home-care help. They were saying the other day they needed to find someone who can open medicine bottles and unpack groceries.”

  If she hadn’t sold her car before she moved home from San Diego, she might have considered it. With the truck, any money made would be gobbled up in fuel. And her mom’s VW Bug might not make it much longer. Plus, the spry Bailiff sisters might be more than she could handle.

  “Jenna, I appreciate—”

  “What about—“

  “Stop.”

  Ashley couldn’t take any more charity. So many people had offered help, help she couldn’t ever repay.

  With a place to live and store things, she could sell on eBay, and that gave her room to breathe. Enough room that she could afford to spend the next few hours with Chase until he left.

  As much as it hurt, he was leaving, and she had to accept it. And she didn’t need to be the forty-pound rucksack making his moving on harder. She should encourage him to go tonight before the snow hit. Encourage him to live the life he wanted, but let him know her decision to wait was part of her plan.

  “Tell Maggie I’ll take the cabin for thirty days. I’m going to pay rent, and I’ll paint the place if she wants. It’s the least I can do.” She opened the driver’s side door.

  “Then what?”

  “I still have to find a job. Denver might still be my only choice. If I didn’t have those student loans, I would be able to start a business here, but I don’t think I can pay rent, the loans, eat, plus start a business.”

  Jenna pulled on her arm. “Ash, I know I’m selfish. But I want you to stay. Permanently.”

  “Sometimes life doesn’t always work out the way we want. Tell you what. Why don’t I come by tomorrow after Chase is gone, and you can ply me with your cookies? We can look at options and sift through the classifieds together. How’s that?”

  “Well, hell. How am I supposed to stay neutral? You know I’m only going to pick the ones that mean you have to stay in Elkridge.” She let out a long sigh, like one of her precious soufflés had deflated in the oven.

  “Yeah, I know.” Ashley reached for her friend’s hand and felt the transfer of love and concern.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “Maybe. I want to see Chase off,” she said, sliding behind the wheel.

  On the drive home, Ashley spotted a couple of foxes frolicking in a snow-covered field. A hawk circled overhead in the fluffy-cloud Colorado sky, waiting for an unsuspecting rabbit or mole or mouse to venture out of hiding. Every curve of the snowplowed road she knew like the freckles on the back of her hand. The day couldn’t be more perfect, but the black clouds over the Ridge reminded her things could change quickly.

  Chase had packed up Bobby’s truck in the morning, so it would only be a matter of convincing him to get going before the expected storm hit. He’d have a handful of good driving hours on clear, dry roads. Tomorrow, the asphalt would be snow-packed and icy. If she hustled him out the door, he could still get the Hershams to drop him off in Denver. Maybe do some sightseeing before boarding the plane back to reality.

  She parked on the far right to make sure he had plenty of room to clear her truck when he left. Lucky’s enthusiastic greeting helped keep her heart from shattering. Laying her keys on the counter, she called Chase’s name, but got no response. While she scratched the dog’s ears, she listened, but heard nothing. After opening the garage door, she searched for her father’s snowmobile. The smaller, more manageable sled her mom used still sat on the storage ramp, but the other one was gone. The dog ran ahead, his nose tunneling through the snow, then leapt through the drifts to pee on his favorite tree. When she stopped at the shed, he raced back and nudged her leg for attention.

  “No, Lucky. I can’t play now.”

  The dog smelled the single set of tracks leading up the back trail to the ridge. He raced up the hill, nose to the ground. Ashley called him, and he reluctantly returned, but then immediately started wandering off again. Just over the ridge, the clouds looked dark and menacing.

  Chase, where are you? You need to go, now.

  Moving toward the house, she called the dog, but he stayed at the crest of the hill, insistently barking.

  “No. I don’t have time to play. Come on.” She patted her leg and entered the house, knowing Lucky would follow.

  Hitting autodial on her cell phone, she listened to the phone ring, an echo coming from inside the house. She followed the ringtone. Chase’s cell sat on the counter, re-charging. She considered the clouds, the black sheet of heavy rain and snow moving in, while frustration chipped away at her resolve. She retraced her steps to the back door. Lucky refused to come in, so she decided to leave him outside for a bit.

  Unable to stand still, she retreated to her mother’s room to pack a few more boxes and wait.

  With each sweater, skirt, or pair of shoes she packed, she resolved to shed the past. Last night, she’d agreed to meet halfway, for now. She’d friend him on Facebook. Write him letters. Answer his calls. But instinct told her long distance had a way of destroying most relationships. She had witnessed the effects. She didn’t want to be pessimistic, but in her gut, she felt it was only a matter of time before the intimate relationship unraveled, settling into a call here and there, maybe a Christmas card now and then.

  Lucky’s bark drew her attention outdoors. The first flakes of the expected snow were already drifting past the window. She sighed. She’d missed the time slot for sending Chase on his way. She might as well start preparing the lasagna.

  When she opened the back door, the brisk wind chilled her core. “Come on, Lucky, it’s cold. If you’re going to stay out, I need to put your coat on.”

  The dog stood at t
he edge of the deck and didn’t move. When she patted her leg to get his attention, he refused to budge, then moved to the dual tracks in the snow and laid down in the ruts. His penetrating look put her on notice. He whined, his body wiggling with energy, wanting so badly to run. He looked at the ridge. In a moment of clarity, she understood what the dog had been trying to communicate.

  Chase.

  The sun moved lower in the sky with each passing minute. She rushed into the house, retrieved Lucky’s coat and harness, and started out the back door, but then hesitated. Her dad had made her take a mountain rescue course before allowing her out on the snowmobile, and launching a rescue mission didn’t mean taking off with a dog, on the sled, alone.

  She deliberated. She needed to make a decision.

  Ashley grabbed both phones and started dialing. Within forty minutes, trucks with snow equipment lined her drive. She’d already positioned her machine, run through a checklist, and worked out how to rig the dog to her sled. His nose might be needed, and she wouldn’t leave him behind. Climbing on the rig, she started the machine.

  “Whoa, where you going?” Harold asked.

  She lifted her goggles. “The snow’s already started covering the tracks. I can’t wait.”

  “You’re not going until we’re ready.”

  Harold made a good rescue coordinator because he was a good people person, and he was respected enough so people usually listened, but his lip-flapping was wasting precious daylight. She wished Jack Burke would show up soon. As head of the volunteer rescue team, he would see reason. Standing around talking was a waste of time. Just when she was about to tell Harold to shove his head in a snow bank, Rivers Black, the local tracker, stepped in. The resident Native American, part-Cherokee, he could find nearly anything that moved on the ridge.

  Rivers studied her with an intensity that made her skin twitch. “Do you have flares and the required emergency equipment?”

  “Yep, packed and checked.”

  “Keep your cell on, and be careful with that dog,” Rivers responded, and turned to Harold. “Let her go. She called us and waited until we got here. Plus, she knows this ridge as well as anyone.”