Hope and Honor

by Marilee Brothers

  Ziggy gnaws on her lower lip and thinks it over. “I want the job.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Back in the sanctuary of my home, I take a moment to check my messages. Three from Sandra, asking if I’ve made a decision about Mick. Two from Kendra, curious about my trip to New Dawn. One from Billy saying, “Call me. We need to talk about Nick’s kid.” Nothing from Mick.

  Billy first. I plop down on the couch and punch in his number. Thunder Paws, who’d been waiting on my front porch, curls up next to me, purring loudly and kneading my denim-covered leg with his claws. He likes me today, but only because I put leftover tuna casserole in his bowl.

  Billy picks up on the first ring. “You home?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m off today. Coming your way.”

  He clicks off before I can ask if he needs the address. Apparently, he has sources.

  A few minutes later, the unmistakable sound of a Harley Davidson rattles the windows. When I open the door, Thunder Paws scampers out. Strangely, a red balloon is attached to the bike’s handlebars. Billy unties the balloon and greets Thunder Paws who welcomes him by twining his furry, orange body around and through his legs. Billy grins, tucks him under one arm and steps into my living room.

  He hands me the balloon, sets the cat down and looks around. “Nice place. Talked to your dad today.”

  Hence the red balloon.

  I wave him into a chair and remain standing, arms folded while I gaze down at him.

  “Why did you talk to my dad?”

  “We have a job for him.”

  “One I’m not suitable for because I have two X chromosomes?” Yes, I’m being snarky, but can’t seem to stop myself.

  Billy, not at all perturbed by my bad attitude, chuckles. “This particular job involves getting next to a guy who belongs to a private men’s club. You might stand out a little in an all-male environment?”

  Well, damn. My lips pinch together in annoyance.

  Billy stands, takes hold of my shoulders and looks deeply into my eyes. “Minnie, lighten up. You’ll get your chance. I’ll make sure.”

  What I see in his soul impresses me. Actually, it’s what I don’t see. For many months, his soul burned with a smoldering fire caused by PTSD from his Middle East deployments. Now his soul is crystal clear and untroubled. Billy is in a good place.

  I should step away from him, but the warmth of his hands on my shoulders creates a sizzle in my blood. It spirals through my body. My feet feel glued to the floor. I may not see fire in his soul, but my body reacts to his as it always has. I want to deny it, but I know the old attraction is still there, alive and burning hot.

  Then I see it. It floats lazily across his soul. Imagine a full-blown crimson rose tumbling through the air, caught by a gentle gust of wind. I blink and it’s gone. I’d seen it in Billy’s soul previously and asked my soul-reading father what it meant. His answer surprised me.

  Finally, I gather my wits and return to the couch, letting the balloon slip through my fingers. It sails upward, directly over my head and bumps against the ceiling. I point at the balloon. “I guess Steve told you about the balloons. Blue for me. Red for Hope.”

  “He says it’s a reminder to let your sister into your life.”

  Even though my life is full of men who think I can’t survive without their guidance, I have to admit Steve is usually right when it comes to matters of the soul.

  “Thanks,” I say with a smile. “Now, what’s this about Ziggy who, by the way, is making me crazy?” I fill him in on her latest act of rebellion.

  Billy looks thoughtful. “The Rathjen kid might be good for her. He needs a project after what he’s been through.”

  “Problem is, she’s got a major crush going. I’m not sure Riley’s ready to handle it.”

  “Not your problem.”

  “Actually, it is. Because Ziggy and I are both of the female persuasion, Nick thinks Ziggy will listen to me.”

  “And does she?”

  “Most of the time, no.”

  His gaze is intense. “If you move to Boston with Mick, Ziggy’s dad will have to step up.”

  His words surprise me although they shouldn’t. News travels fast in law enforcement circles. I decide not to give anything away. “Yes, I guess he will.”

  Billy leans forward, arms braced on his knees. “So, you are moving to Boston?”

  “I’m thinking it over.”

  “For what it’s worth, I hope you stay in 3 Peaks. Your dad’s here. Your friends are here.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “I’m here. What I’m trying to say is, I want you to stay and hope you’ll give me another chance.

  We’ve had this conversation before. Billy has a cocky, competitive nature and when he sets his sights on a goal, he’s like a heat-seeking missile. In this situation, I’m the target.

  I gently remind him, “I’m with Mick now.”

  He gives me his full-out mischievous Billy the Kid grin. “Boston’s a hell of a long way from 3 Peaks. You know what they say about long-distance relationships.”

  I know he’s trying to wear me down. “It won’t be a long-distance relationship if I’m in Boston.”

  “Aw, damn it, Minnie, you don’t play fair.” He stands, a smile tugging at his lips. “I dare you to come over here, close enough so I can touch you, and tell me you feel nothing.”

  I’m so tempted, but shake my head. “Not going there, Billy. Now, about Ziggy?”

  Billy sits, but is far from defeated. “I know you want to. I see it in your eyes. We’re not done and you know it.”

  “Ziggy,” I remind him, even though his words take root in my heart.

  He leans back. “Yeah, Ziggy. I saw her with a guy who’s bad news.”

  “Does he have a green Mohawk?”

  “I know the kid you’re talking about, but it’s not him. He’s Paul Moen, probably in his thirties. Clean-cut looking and dresses nice. He has a consulting business we think is a front for prostitution.”

  An involuntary shiver scampers down my spine. “And you’ve seen Ziggy with him?”

  “Vice is checking him out. I just happened to see them at Mojo’s coffee shop. They were at a corner table. She didn’t see me.”

  Mojo’s. Where Ziggy asked to be dropped off. I say, “Is there a connection between Moen and Benny, the green-haired kid?”

  “Not sure. I’ll see what I can find out. In the meantime, you might keep a close eye on her.”

  “Which means, I stop living my life and follow Ziggy around twenty-four seven. Hey, you want to share the duties? Take the night shift?”

  He narrows his eyes. “What’s with the crappy attitude? I’m trying to help.”

  Now, I feel bad. “Yes, and I appreciate it. I have a lot on my plate right now.”

  He nods. “Nick needs to take some responsibility.”

  “I’ll talk to him, but he panics when it comes to fathering a teenage girl.”

  “Gotta go.” He crosses the room and points at the red balloon. “Talk to Hope. I think she wants us to get back together.”

  This strikes me as so ludicrous, I smile. “So now you’re communicating with my dead twin?”

  He looks totally serious. “I know she wants you to be happy and, I promise, I will make you happy.” He bends down and cups my face in his hands.

  Again, I feel his heat, the magnetic pull of his body. I close my eyes to fight it. I stifle a gasp as his lips brush across my cheek in a feathery touch.

  “See ya, Minnie.”

  When I open my eyes, the door is closing behind him.

  Later that night, I take my break and look for Ziggy. I find her in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher. “How did it go at the ranch?”

  She straightens ups, winces a little and limps over to me. I’m pretty sure I know what her problem is.

  She says, “It was okay. Riley showed me what to do. I thought he’d help, but he didn’t.”

  Sometimes I forget how young she is. I point out
the obvious. “It wasn’t a date, Ziggy. He’s paying you to do the job. Why would he help?”

  She rolls her eyes dramatically and shrugs. “Anyway,” she continues, “I knocked on the door when I was done. He checked out the stalls and said I did a good job. Then, he gave me a riding lesson.”

  I chuckle. “How’s your butt?”

  “It hurts. Damn, those saddles are hard.”

  “Hang in there, it will get better.”

  She bends forward and reaches behind to massage her buns.

  As I turn to leave, I spot the diamond bracelet around her wrist. Previously tucked beneath the sleeve of her shirt, it’s now exposed, sparkling in the illumination of the overhead light. “Nice bracelet. Is it new?”

  She flushes and looks away. “My mom sent it to me.”

  Later I mention it to Nick.

  He shakes his head. “I get the mail. Her mom hasn’t sent her anything. Maybe she saved her money and bought it herself.”

  I know how much she gets paid and doubt she can afford such a pricey bauble. Somebody gave it to her. Green-haired Benny? I doubt it. The older guy Billy mentioned? Scary thought. I need more information before I get Nick fired up. However, he’s the dad. I need to say something.

  “You need to keep a close eye on her.”

  His eyes widen in surprise. “I talked to the school. She’s doing okay.”

  Since I hadn’t filled him in on the Ziggy/Benny chase scene, I’m in a bit of a bind. Tact is not my strong suit. I blurt, “She’s got some sketchy friends. Just make sure you know where she is when she’s not in school.”

  “Good luck with that.” He throws up his hands in frustration. “She’s a truly gifted liar.”

  Don’t I know it.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It’s eight-twenty in the morning and I’m in a deep sleep after working until closing time. When my cell phone rings, it’s a relief since I’m trapped in a disturbing dream. I’m chasing Ziggy through a corn maze. I see her ahead of me, sunlight bouncing off the diamond bracelet. I’m trying to run as fast as I can but it feels like my shoes are made of concrete. Periodically she stops, turns to face me and allows me to catch up before laughing and darting away. I fight through foggy layers of sleep until I’m semi-conscious and reach for my phone. I open one eye and recognize the number belonging to Jake Gunderson. “Hello,” I croak.

  I hear the sound of a car engine and rapid breathing.

  “Jake? Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m heading for 3 Peaks. I’ve got a serious problem and need to talk to you. Can I come to your place?”

  Fully awake now, I sit up. “Sure.” I give him the address and ask, “Are the kids okay?”

  “That’s what I need to talk to you about. There’s stuff going on here.”

  “At New Dawn?”

  “Yeah,” he says, a note of panic in his voice. “Stuff I don’t want to be involved in. I need to get away for a while, but I can’t take the kids with me and I don’t want to leave them here.”

  I listen to my heart, not my head. “I’ll take them.”

  “Thanks, Mel. I’ll fill in the blanks when I get to your place.”

  I wait for hours, but Jake doesn’t show up. His phone goes directly to voice mail. Considering the circumstances, I’m uneasy about leaving a message. I grow increasingly anxious as the day goes on. By two in the afternoon, I can’t handle it. I put the cat out, hop in Buttercup and head for New Dawn.

  I’m nervous about driving my junker car up a narrow, mountain road, but don’t want to impose upon the Rathjens for a ride. The weather is decent for March. With an altitude of just under four thousand feet, spring in 3 Peaks can be iffy, with temperatures in the sixties one day and a blizzard the next. Today, the sun peeks out from behind white scudding clouds driven by a brisk wind. Dark, ominous clouds hang over the mountains that give 3 Peaks its name. With any luck, I’ll be home before the storm clouds close in.

  Buttercup cooperates fully for the first part of the trip, chugging happily along the straight ribbon of a road heading west. It’s a different story when I veer off the main highway and start to ascend the twisty, two-lane road leading to New Dawn. As the uphill grade gets steeper, she coughs and sputters like something is caught in her throat. Poor Buttercup. Like me, she’s a city girl. I contemplate turning around, but my worries about Jake make it impossible.

  I pull over and give her a little rest. “Sorry, old girl. We gotta keep going. Do it for me. Okay?”

  I ease out onto the road and keep the speed at thirty, even though it’s posted at forty-five. A huge one-ton pick-up truck looms large in my rearview mirror, riding my bumper. I hold steady at thirty. We come to a straightaway. He pulls up beside me, flips me off and hits the gas, roaring past me. Before disappearing around the bend, I see a big chocolate Lab in the truck bed.

  I pat Buttercup’s dashboard. “Road rage. Don’t take it personally. We’ll keep plugging along like the tortoise and the hare. Okay?”

  Comforted, Buttercup responds. Her engine smooths out and I push the speed to thirty-five. At this rate, I should make New Dawn before nightfall. Fortunately, I don’t have to work tonight.

  Ten miles ahead, speed or lack thereof becomes a moot point. I see a line of stalled vehicles and flashing lights. I pull behind Mr. Road Rage, stop and put my window down. The door of his truck flies open and the driver steps out. He’s a big, burly guy clad in baggy jeans and a flannel shirt. He walks toward me, flashing a conciliatory smile. His ball cap proclaims his love for titties and beer. He looks harmless and there’s a butt load of people around, so I don’t zip my window up.

  He leans down and peers at me. “Hey, pretty lady, sorry about the obscene gesture. I was in a hurry, but it looks like we’re stuck here for a while.”

  “No problem. What’s going on?”

  Eager to please, he says, “I’ll go check and let you know.”

  He hitches up his baggy pants and saunters past the line of cars, a man in search of the truth and possibly some chips and dip. Five minutes later he returns. He crouches down next to my open window and allows his gaze to roam over my body before he speaks. “Hey, I think I know you. You work at Nick’s. Right?’

  I try not to encourage him. “Yes. What’s going on? Was there an accident?’

  He takes his cap off and holds it over his heart. “Yep. Some dude missed the curve and went over the side. He’s deader than a doornail. They’re waiting for the coroner to show up.”

  My heart kicks up a beat. I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.

  “You okay? You’re lookin’ a little pale.”

  I turn my head and look into his eyes and, by extension, his soul. I see kindness and realize I’ve unfairly judged him. “Thanks for your concern. I appreciate it. Do you know who got killed? I’ve been waiting for a friend of mine to show up in 3 Peaks and, when he didn’t, I decided to drive up here.”

  He shakes his head. “Oh, man, that’s the shits. I’ll see what I can find out.”

  On a mission, he trots away, heading for the gaggle of law enforcement gathered at the scene. When he comes back, he’s walking slower, like he’s afraid to deliver bad news. He lowers the tailgate of his truck. The Lab jumps down and follows him to my car. He says, “I’m Clayton and this here,” he gestures at the dog, “is Whizzer.”

  I reach through the window and shake his hand. “I’m Mel.”

  Right on cue, Whizzer lifts his leg and pees on Buttercup.

  “Damn it, Whizzer. Look what you did to the lady’s car.”

  “It’s okay,” I say. “What did you find out?”

  “They wouldn’t give me a name, but I heard it was a guy from New Dawn, the whacko compound up the mountain. Ya think it’s your friend?”

  I gnaw on my lower lip, not sure how to answer. Finally I choke out a few words. “Not sure. Guess I’ll have to wait to find out.”

  He pats my arm. “Ya want me to, ya know, give you some support? I can s
it with you if you want.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll head home. Wait and see. Hope for the best.”

  “All righty, then. Nice to meet you, Mel. See ya at Nick’s.” He tips his hat and starts to walk away, the dog trailing behind him.

  “Hey, Clayton,” I call.

  He turns.

  “Do you love your dog?’

  “Sure do. Why?’

  “Then let him ride up front with you. It’s not safe for him in the back of your truck. If he sees a cat, he might jump out, break a leg or get hit by a car.”

  “He likes it back there.”

  “I’m sure he does, but who’s smarter, you or the dog?”

  He looks puzzled for a minute like it’s a hard question. “Yeah, I see your point.”

  As I crank the wheel and do a U-turn, Clayton opens the door of his pick-up and Whizzer scrambles in. My good deed for the day.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I’m almost to 3 Peaks when my phone pings. I glance at the screen. Mick.

  —I’m heading your way.—

  I know why he’s heading my way. He’ll be pressing me for a decision. Am I going with him or not? Since my mind is now frantic with worry over Jake Gunderson and the twins, my decision-making ability is severely handicapped. I don’t want to think about it right now.

  Driving down the mountain, I reflect on the information delivered by Clayton. He said some guy from the compound had been killed in the wreck. He mentioned nothing about other passengers. In his phone call, Jake asked if I could look after the twins for a while. I agreed. What if he decided to bring the kids with him today? My imagination runs amuck. I picture Kimber and Gunner’s terror as the truck misses a curve and flies off a cliff, landing in a mangled heap on the rocks below. I fight tears and grip the wheel to stop my hands from shaking.

  The road flattens out and I find a place to pull over. First, I call Kendra, fill her in on Jake’s request and tell her about the accident.

  “Oh, my God, were the kids with him?”

  “Hopefully not.” I swallow hard. “Did Jake get back to you after he measured the windows?”