by Jill Sanders
“Well, about a week after we pour the foundation.” Trent sighed. “If the weather holds, I’m hoping by the end of this month, we’ll have a lot more room.”
“We’ll need a bigger place to hold all that food you eat,” Addy joked, and everyone laughed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It was hard to describe the next few days. Addy still didn’t quite know what to make of it. Word had gotten out about her scuffle with Darla in the store. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who blamed Darla’s actions for her father’s death.
And then the remaining group of protesters from FREE left Haven. Somehow, the town felt a little emptier after they were gone.
Next, Dennis and two other men were taken in for questioning. All three of them, however, were released when their alibis checked out. Mike had come out and given the McGowans the news about that directly.
Last, two days later, Darla was fired from her job at the Wet Spot. The owner of the establishment, a retired military pilot and local character by the name of Cam Everton, made a point to stop by the trailer to give Addy the news himself.
“I heard what happened.” He shook his head and looked down at his hands. “I’ve lived in this town for the past ten years, and I know there’s lots of talk about my establishment, but I try to run a clean place. When one of my girls does something like that . . .” The older man sighed and shook his head again. “It just isn’t right. I knew your father.” Addy’s eyebrows shot up and Cam stuttered through a quick explanation. “Not that he came in my place for . . . he liked the food.”
Addy laughed. “Cam, I get it. This town owes a lot to the kind of places you run. It gives the workers something to do and keeps them entertained. Not to mention”—she laid a hand on his arm—“you do have great steaks.”
His smile flashed. “The best in the state.”
“Thank you for coming all the way out here and telling me the news directly,” she added.
“It was no big deal. I’d been meaning to stop by after I heard your father passed. He really was a good man. We don’t see too many of them coming in anymore. Not since . . .” He looked over to where Trent was chopping wood across the field. “Well, anyway. I’ll let you get back to your work.”
“Thank you again for letting me know.”
“No problem.” He turned to go. “Oh, I forgot to mention this, but I know there was some question as to how your Jeep fire started. I talked to Mike the week after, he asked about the brand of cigarettes that Darla smoked.”
“Yes?” Addy’s heart skipped.
“Well, she doesn’t smoke Gold Crest, but I do. I was questioned and all, but I didn’t think to mention that all my girls know that if they run out of smokes, they’re free to take one of mine if they leave me some change.” Cam looked over toward her new Jeep. “That day, I had three cigarettes that someone paid for.”
“Was Darla working that day?” she asked.
“Yeah, Mike asked me that too. She started at eleven and worked until nine that night.”
“Did she ever leave during the day?”
“She would leave all the time. Smoke breaks, trips to the grocery store for supplies for the kitchen.” He shrugged. “Who’s to say if she did any of that on that day? I wasn’t tracking her too close.”
“Thank you, Cam,” Addy said, walking him to his truck. “I appreciate you letting me know.”
She watched him get behind the wheel and drive away.
“Everything okay?” Trent asked, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, then tucking it into his back pocket.
“Yeah,” she sighed as she turned to him. “Cam just wanted to let me know that he fired Darla.”
“Oh?” he asked, moving closer.
“Apparently he didn’t like the way she’d handled the entire situation with my father.”
“He blames her?”
Addy nodded. “Looks like the entire town does.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on. “You’re all sweaty.”
“Yeah, I was thinking about a shower, then remembered I have a bunch of stuff being delivered over at my mother’s house for the wedding this weekend.”
“Oh?” She moved closer. “Can I come watch you put it all together?”
“I was hoping you would. We were going to grill out. Tyler had a few steaks he was going to throw on the fire.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“You’re deep in thought,” Trent said as he pulled into his mother’s driveway.
On the drive over, Addy’s mind had drifted to her own mother. She was showing signs of improvement. She’d already spent a day at the library and a day at the animal clinic.
The vet had called Addy the following day to mention that her mother was a natural around the animals. She had been particularly taken with an older Pekinese dog who had been abandoned by its owners on the side of the road.
She couldn’t imagine her mother being a dog person; she had never allowed any pets in her house. But that was why it was on the list—animals brightened lives. Especially since her mother had that big house all to herself now. Maybe Addy would stop by the clinic later that week and see how much the dog was, perhaps as a peace offering to her mother.
Addy glanced over at Trent. “Are you a dog person?” she asked.
His eyebrows shot up. “Yes, why do you ask?”
She shook her head. “No reason. The vet told me that my mom took a liking to a Pekinese.”
Trent made a funny face at her.
“What?” she asked, shifting in her seat to get a better look at him.
“That’s not a dog. That’s a rat in a dog’s fur.”
Addy laughed. “What, pray tell me, makes a dog a dog in your book?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, something bigger than a football.”
She laughed and shook her head at him. “What about cats? Do you like those?”
He nodded. “Yeah, when I build a barn, I’ll have a few to keep the mice away.”
She cringed. “Okay, yeah, good plan.”
“How are you around horses and cows?” he asked, running a hand down her braid.
“Hmm. I’ve never been around horses or cows.”
“Never?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Come with me.” He tugged her out of the truck and led her down a pathway around the house to a large barn near the back of the property.
As they made their way toward the barn, Trent let out a low whistle. Suddenly two horses stepped out of large doorways on the side of the building and made their way over.
“That is Hank, my father’s horse.” He pointed to the larger tan horse. “The other one is Grace, my mom’s mare.” Grace was a silver beauty. Her mane looked like it had been brushed until the hair crackled.
They stopped at a padlocked area. Trent put his booted foot up on the rung and reached out to pet Hank between the eyes.
The horse looked like a big dog, lapping up the attention.
“Go ahead, she won’t bite.” He nodded to Grace. “Let her sniff you first.” He took Addy’s hand and held it out for the horse.
Grace sniffed her fingers with her soft nose, then nudged her hand as if to say, Go ahead, get to work and start petting me.
Addy laughed when the horse actually leaned into her hand.
“She’s beautiful.” She wrapped her arms around the horse’s head and held on.
“I think she likes you.”
“Grace likes everyone,” Gail said with a laugh from behind them. “I was just about to go out, would you care to join me?” she asked Addy. “I have some boots that will fit you.”
“Go.” Trent nudged her. “Mom will ride Hank, you can have Grace.”
“I . . . sure,” she said, smiling.
“Well, I’m heading up to take a look.” Trent gestured to the house. “Looks like they delivered everything already.”
“Early this morning.” Gail smiled. “It’s all ready for
you boys to plant. I called Tyler and Trey when I saw you drive up.”
Trent kissed Addy quickly. “Have fun.”
“You too,” she called after him.
Trent and his brothers would have preferred going on a nice, easy horse ride than rearranging their mother’s backyard.
There were more than a dozen large bushes to yank out and transplant along the edge of the yard, plus they had to level the ground and lay new sod in the middle of the yard where the wedding would be held. Over a dozen wisteria trees had to be planted near the edge of the yard, where the men moved the homemade archway their father had built years ago. They set the largest trees on either side, so the fresh blooms would hang down through the archway.
When Trent stood back a few hours later, he looked around with pride. The entire area was circled with white and purple blooms.
Tyler had purchased recycled rubber pavers that they laid from the back steps of the house down to where the aisle runner would take over.
“The chairs and tables are going to be delivered Friday night,” Tyler said. “We can set the chairs up in rows. There should be about a hundred and fifty.”
“What about the tables?” Trey asked, trying to focus. But something had him looking around. Trisha had started the steaks and the wonderful smell was driving them all crazy. The three of them were sweaty and muddy and starving.
“How about putting them in the side yard?” Trent said, walking with them over to the area where they had grown up playing football. “We have a little sod left, we can fill in the spots.” He stopped and looked. “Move a bush or two . . . The sun sets on this side, so there should be a beautiful view of the fields in the evening while everyone’s eating. Plus it’s closer to the steps for the caterers to deliver the meals.”
“We can hang up some of those lights,” Trey said. “In the trees.” He nodded to the row of fir trees. “Those ones that look like Christmas lights.”
“Outdoor string lights.” Tyler smiled and slapped Trey on the back. “Good thinking. I can pick up a few strings of them tomorrow.”
“Any word on how the investigation is going?” Trey looked to Trent. “I mean, someone knows something about you being attacked.”
“It’s funny. More than half the town thinks it was Dennis and his goons, yet we can’t get anyone to corroborate where he was at the time. Except, of course, his goons themselves.”
“The police have talked to him a few times now and still nothing,” Tyler pointed out.
“I know, Mike filled me in. Since they don’t have any proof . . .” Trent let out a deep sigh. “They can’t get anywhere.”
“What about his trial for kidnapping?” Trey questioned.
Tyler ran his hands through his hair. “Stalled since all the paperwork went up. We’ve given them everything we have, but . . .”
“Dinner’s ready,” Trisha called out.
Trent turned in time to see his mother and Addy walking up the trail from the barn. The women were smiling, and he knew that Addy had enjoyed herself.
They all gathered on the deck and ate dinner, discussing the wedding plans, as the sun set. As the light dimmed, they glanced over to the side yard and determined the lighting would make for a perfect addition.
“Cam stopped by before we came over,” Trent said as he sipped a beer.
“Cam?” Trisha asked.
“He owns the Wet Spot,” his mother said. “Nice man, retired air force pilot.” She turned back to him. “What did he want?”
“He fired Darla,” Addy said.
“Good for him,” Trisha added.
“Mom,” Kristen moaned.
“Cam told me that”—Addy looked in Trent’s direction—“there was a chance that Darla started my Jeep fire.”
Trent tensed. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Because I wanted to tell you when your mother was present so she could convince you not to go down there and do something stupid.”
“Smart woman,” Trisha said under her breath.
“Do you think she started the fire?” Kristen asked.
“I wouldn’t put it past her. She probably just wanted to mess up the inside of the Jeep. I doubt she even knew I had propane tanks in the back,” Addy said.
“Is there any way Cam would know for sure?” Trent asked.
“No. He said he leaves his smokes where the girls can grab them, leaving change for each cigarette. It could have been anyone who knew where he kept them,” Addy answered.
“Back to square one,” Trey chimed in. “It’s just strange, two fires in Haven in under a month. They have to either be connected or the second was inspired by the first.”
“What do you mean?” Kristen asked.
“Well, I spoke to the fire inspector, a nice older guy by the name of Kevin,” Trey continued. “He said that when there are two or more fires so close together, you either have one arsonist or a copycat. Someone who was inspired to start a fire because of the first one.”
“That could be anybody,” Tyler said.
“Yeah, anyone with a grudge against Addy,” Trent added.
“That list should be very short,” Kristen said, cocking an eyebrow at Addy.
“One,” Addy sighed. “Just one.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“How do we prove that Darla set my Jeep on fire?” Addy asked Trent as they lay in bed that night.
“I’m not sure yet, but we’ll come up with something,” he said. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders, and she snuggled against his bare chest.
“Too bad there aren’t any cameras outside of the grocery store.” She yawned.
He was silent for a while, thinking—mentally tracking the path Darla would have taken from the Wet Spot to the grocery store more than two blocks away.
“Maybe Granger’s Market has cameras?” he said absently. “I have to make a run there tomorrow. I can check with them.”
She nodded and wrapped her leg around his. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her curled up against him.
“Did you enjoy the ride with my mother today?” he asked.
“Yes, I found out that I love horses. I just wish I could have one.”
He could tell she was on the verge of sleep. “Why can’t you?” he asked.
“Can’t,” she said, her voice slurred. “Won’t fit in my trailer.”
He held in a chuckle and decided to let her sleep as his mind ran over every step between the strip club and the grocery store.
First thing the next morning Trent walked the same path. Stopping at every business along the way, he even poked his head into one of the other local strip clubs and asked about cameras. They had cameras inside and at the back door but nothing out front. Since he was there, he asked to see the footage from the back door, just in case Darla had walked down the alley instead of the main street.
Trent made it all the way to the grocery store without any luck. Granger’s had a video of the front, but the manager told him that they recorded over each tape the next day when there weren’t any issues. Still, he was going to check with the owner to make sure the owner didn’t switch tapes out. The guy would let Trent know when he found out.
As he went along, the buzz in town continued to be his brother’s wedding. Everyone asked him about it, told him how excited they were to join in the festivities. And some even hinted at how he’d be next.
He laughed that thought off, but deep down, he questioned it. Why not marry? His mind kept nudging him at the thought. It wasn’t as if he wanted someone other than Addy. She was it for him. Of that he was 100 percent positive. So what was the holdup?
His mind thought about the new plans for McGowan. About how in less than a month they would be breaking ground for the Thurston McGowan Flathead Drilling Training Center.
Just thinking about it had his excitement building. He hadn’t yet talked with Addy further about her role in all that. He was hoping that her agreeing to stick around was her way of telling him she wan
ted to be a part of it.
He made his run to Granger’s, loading up the extra sod and a few more bushes that he planned to plant around his own land. Since Addy mentioned that she liked the wisteria trees, he got a few of them to plant around the trailer.
Just as he was coming out with a full cart, he noticed Dennis walking in. The man had a look on his face like he owned the town.
“Heard you had some bad luck the other night,” Dennis said.
Trent decided to keep going, but then Dennis stuck a boot out and stopped his cart from rolling.
“You still haven’t learned, boy, to keep that nose where it belongs,” Dennis said.
Trent felt his temper rise, though he realized that if he started something, it would be him sitting in the jail cell instead of Dennis. So he pulled the cart free and continued walking instead.
“I knew you McGowans were always pussies,” the man called after him.
It took all Trent’s willpower to suck up the anger and just load up his truck. Still, as he drove back home, the anger boiled under the surface, ready to burst free.
That was until he saw the small black blob sitting at Addy’s feet outside of the trailer. Her grin nearly reached her ears as the tiny puppy wiggled to get free from her hold. Addy’s fingers were tight on the end of the leash, but the puppy was tugging against the restraints.
“What’s this?” Trent asked, shutting the truck door and going directly to her.
“A gift,” she said, letting go of the leash. The black dot rushed to him. He knelt down to rub the tiny dog’s head, and the puppy proceeded to pee on his boot.
“For me?” She nodded and he stood. “It’s not one of those small portable dogs, is it?”
She shook her head. “No, he’s only two months old and, as I quickly found out, not house-trained yet.”
He picked the dog up and walked toward her as the dog tried to lick his chin.
“What’s his name?” he asked, sitting down next to her.
“I don’t know, you haven’t named him yet.” Addy laughed, reaching over and gently tugging on the puppy’s ears.
“Wow,” he said, thinking about it. “How about Happy?”
