by Toni Shiloh
“I can’t get it off.” She held up her right hand.
Jo frowned in puzzlement and leaned closer. “Why do you want it off? You’ve had it since senior year.”
“I know and now it needs to come off.”
“O...kay...you’re going to have to explain yourself.”
Michelle huffed out a breath. “I don’t want anyone noticing it on my finger.”
Jo snapped her fingers. “Wait a minute. You got that on Valentine’s Day and refused to tell me who your secret admirer was. And you’re still wearing it?”
“Did you not hear me say the thing won’t come off?” She bit back some choice words, trying to hold her temper at bay.
“Calm down, girl. Why do you want it to come off now? And don’t give me that craziness about not wanting anyone to notice it. I forgot it was there, and I’m sure everyone else has too. The only person new around here is...” Jo’s voice trailed off and her eyes grew wide.
Michelle turned to the sink and rinsed her hands, hoping Jo wouldn’t give voice to her thoughts. She grabbed a hand towel and looked into the mirror. It looked like Jo watched her every move. She snapped. “What, Jo Ellen?”
“I’m Jo Ellen now, huh?” Her friend crossed her arms. “Guy gave you that ring didn’t he?” she asked with a toss of her chin.
“Yes.”
“So why do you want it off now, after all this time?”
“He saw it, and now I know he’s going to think it’s a big deal. If I can get it off, then maybe he’ll think he imagined it.”
“Oddly enough, I can understand that logic.” Jo stared at her with a look of confusion on her face. “Did you guys break up or something?”
“When he left.” Michelle headed for the kitchen. She needed coffee if Jo planned on dragging any other information out of her.
“What do you mean he left?”
“In high school. Remember? No one knew where he went?”
Jo nodded, “Right.”
Michelle grabbed the cup from under the coffee maker. “Well I didn’t either. He didn’t call, send a letter, e-mail...nothing.”
“Get out of here,” Jo whispered. “How could he do that?”
“And that’s the million-dollar question.” She raised her mug in salute and gulped down the hot coffee. Her eyes watered as the hot liquid hit her tongue. At least that’s what she told herself.
SHE STILL WORE THE ring.
Guy couldn’t believe it, couldn’t fathom the implications. It had been...what...thirteen years? Thirteen years wearing a promise ring when the promise had obviously been broken.
He rubbed his hands over his face then flopped backward onto his bed. He really needed to go to sleep before morning came. Or worse, the girls could wake up sick again.
A sighed slipped through his lips. Even though exhaustion pulled at him, his mind refused to shut down. All he could picture was the silver love-knot ring circled around Michelle’s right ring finger. Seeing it on her hand after all these years had been like a punch to his gut. A reminder of what their relationship had really been like. How could he have forgotten all the intricacies of their secret?
They had agreed not to voice any feelings aloud afraid their friends would figure there was something going on between them. Only he couldn’t take it a moment longer and had bought her the love knot as a promise.
“I got you something,” he whispered shifting closer on the blanket.
“You bought me something?” Michelle’s smile filled her face.
His heart thumped loudly as he pulled a ring box out of his pocket and opened it. “It’s not much, but I wanted you to look at it and think of me.”
Guy watched her face as he handed her the box. Inside the lid was a note explaining the symbolism of the love knot. He had bought one that was a single knot for her to wear and he had a matching one he’d wear on a chain.
She looked at him and her eyes turned glossy. “I love it, Guy.”
He wanted to whisper similar words, but they had made a promise. So instead, he leaned over and kissed her. When her hands touched the sides of his face he deepened the kiss. Thankful for her and thankful for her love.
He sat up swiftly and dropped to the floor in the push-up position. If his brain wouldn’t stop the memories, Guy would exhaust himself into a slumber. Maybe then, he could stop the guilt from pooling into his already dark soul.
MICHELLE PULLED OUT her notes on Chloe’s family tree. She had already submitted a request for Chloe’s original birth certificate. Even though her friend had showed her a copy of it, she wanted to double check that the father was indeed blank on the original. Sometimes the records department made mistakes.
She tapped her pen against her chin. There had to be someone who knew who her father was. Maybe Chloe’s mom had shared the secret with a friend. You mean like you did?
She rolled her eyes. “So, I didn’t tell Jo my secret, doesn’t mean Chloe’s mom did the same.”
“You still talk to yourself, huh?”
Michelle froze as the deep, accented voice filled the room. She turned toward the door, wondering how she had missed the chime announcing his arrival.
“What are you doing here?” she licked her lips. The sight of Guy made the pulse in her neck pound. And why did her voice have to sound slightly panicked? She wanted to be cool and composed.
“You haven’t asked for help with Chloe’s request, so I came to see how you were doing with that.” Guy stepped closer to her desk, his hands shoved into his pockets.
Only he could make Freedom Lake’s sheriff uniform look appealing. Get back to the topic at hand. “I was just wondering if any of Chloe’s mom’s classmates still lived here. Maybe one of them knew if she was in a relationship.”
He nodded and rubbed his chin. “Good point. What year did she graduate?”
“She didn’t.” Michelle looked down at her notes. Anything to ignore the way his look begged her to take a second glance. A long one. “Chloe was born during her mother’s junior year. Her mom was sixteen.”
Thank goodness he ignored the elephant in the room. She hadn’t been successful in getting the ring off. As long as she could keep her hands moving, maybe he wouldn’t notice.
“So she should have graduated in ’87, right?”
Michelle nodded.
Guy looked away toward the window. Michelle sighed and took the time to study him. He didn’t look like he was getting much sleep. How did he juggle being the town sheriff and a single father to twin girls? She knew Nana Baker helped out, but it still had to be rough.
If they had stayed together, what would their kids have looked like? She placed her hand on her stomach as her thoughts swirled. Her eyes focused on the love knot encircling her finger. She gulped.
Does he still have his ring?
She shook her head to clear the thoughts. “Do you know anyone in town who graduated then?”
“Actually, I think Holly’s mom did.”
“Who’s Holly?” Was she somebody special?
“My secretary.”
Michelle ignored the feeling of relief that coursed through her at the new information.
“She tends to talk a lot. Comes with having young children. You latch onto any adult conversation.” He waved a hand in the air. “Anyway, her mom went to the high school in the eighties. I think Holly’s a few years younger than me so maybe her mom would know Chloe’s.”
“That’s great.” She tried to force cheer into her voice, but she couldn’t help but wonder how often he and Holly conversed. Don’t be ridiculous. She’s his secretary. They were bound to talk and talk often. “When can you ask her?”
“I’ll do it when I go back.”
“Okay, thanks for the help.” She looked at the door and then back at Guy.
He stared back and took a step forward.
Why isn’t he leaving? Did he not recognize the universal sign of dismissal?
“Did you need anything else?” She placed her left hand on top
of her right. His gaze lowered and it was all she could do not to shift in her seat.
“Thirteen years is a long time to hold onto material things.”
“Sometimes we have no choice.”
“What could possibly prevent you from getting rid of something that would bring bad memories?”
“Weight.”
He frowned at her. “What are you talking about?”
“What are you talking about?”
Guy rubbed the back of his neck. “Chelle belle, why are you still wearing my ring?”
She hadn’t heard that name in years. Judging by the look on his face, he was just as surprised to have said it. Her insides quivered liked the tin man’s legs after facing Oz. She felt her breathing shorten as her skin flushed. She looked around the office noting the muted grays and oranges. Anything to forget how electrifying ‘Chelle belle’ had sounded rolling off his tongue.
How she had let Chloe talk her into the color scheme, she had no idea, but it worked. Everyone who stepped into her office commented on it. But right now, the comfort of her office wasn’t providing its usual escape.
“I can’t get it off,” she replied hoarsely.
His eyebrows raised and his mouth rounded into an ‘o’. He walked over to her desk and took her hand.
Don’t shiver, don’t shiver, don’t... The chill ran up her back. Thank God she wore long sleeves. They hid the goose bumps rising up her arms.
Guy turned the ring around and in one fluid motion, slipped the ring off.
Michelle blinked at her hand, noting the knotted tan line. She held her hand to her face, amazed at how much lighter it felt. How naked and bereft.
It came off.
She looked up and met Guy’s jet-black gaze. She had no clue what to say. “Thank you?”
He gave her a curt nod and walked out.
It wasn’t until much later, she realized he had taken the ring with him.
Chapter Eight
Guy twirled the promise ring in his hand. She still wore it after all these years. He snorted. Well not now, since he commandeered it from her. He shook his head, remembering the excuse she used. With one twist around the finger, it had slipped right off.
When he had slipped it on her finger the first time, he had meant it as a promise to love her. Then life happened and the need to escape Freedom Lake had him running without a backward glance. No calls. No emails. No letters. Nothing.
He had been free and loved every moment of it.
Only it hadn’t taken long for the novelty to wear off. Pretty soon, he found himself back in church, where he met Charlene.
Charlene.
His eyes darted to her picture on his desk. Her spiral curls framed her face and fell to her shoulders. A smile graced her lips. Guy imagined the girls would look more like her as they grew. He could already see her in their smile. Hopefully, they would get her temperament as well.
What would Charlene have thought about the boy he’d been? Just on the cusp of adulthood, he had ruined the one relationship he had once cherished. In one night. A groan gathered in his throat.
All this thinking messed with his brain. He needed to focus on something he could change. Something he could work for that would show he wasn’t a bad person. A thought entered his mind as he thought of Chloe’s situation.
Guy got up from his desk and opened the door. His secretary looked up and sent a megawatt smile in his direction. She held up a finger as she continued her phone conversation.
“I appreciate you notifying me....no I’ll see it when I pick her up. Okay, thank you again.” With a click and a turn, she faced him looking attentive. “Did you need something, Sheriff?”
He cleared his throat. “Um...is everything okay?”
She waved a hand toward the phone. “That was Sam’s daycare. She had a little accident, and they had to notify me. It’s nothing major.”
“Glad to hear it.” He stared at her, noticing for the first time she had gray eyes. “I uh...I had a question to ask you.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
Was it his imagination or did her eyes twinkle? He took a deep breath. “I was wondering what year your mother graduated.” He rushed on as the light in her eyes dimmed. “You see I’m trying to help a friend track down some relatives, and I was hoping someone from her mother’s graduating class would remember her. Only she didn’t graduate.” He stopped suddenly feeling awkward. “Anyway, it’s kind of complicated.”
“Sounds like it. My mom graduated in ’87 or maybe ’86. I actually can’t remember.”
“No problem. Could you, by any chance, find out if she knew a Charlotte Smith?”
Holly nodded as she wrote the information down on a pink post-it. She looked up and smiled again, but her eyes failed to twinkle this time.
“Well...um...that’s all. Thanks, Holly.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff.”
Guy walked back into his office, but he could tell from Holly’s voice that she wasn’t as happy as usual. Was she into him or was his mind playing tricks?
His eyes rested on the stack of papers on his desk. Where Holly stood was a problem for another day. Today, he needed to finish the paperwork before his patrol on the streets of Freedom Lake.
MICHELLE FED MORE PAPER into the copier. She looked up at the chime of the bell, a smile already plastered on her face in greeting. It fell the minute she saw who had entered her office.
Guy. Again?
This was the worst case of déjà vu, she’d ever had. “Can I help you?” She walked forward, but made sure to keep an appropriate amount of distance between them.
“Yeah, I have some information for you regarding Chloe’s mother.”
He had taken up his normal stance of hands in his pocket. When they dated in high school, the stance had meant he was uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do with his hands. Was that the same case now?
“Great,” she said, infusing her voice with false cheer. “What do you have?”
Guy produced a sticky note out of his pocket. “Holly’s mom remembered her.” He held out the paper as far as his arm would reach.
She took a few cautious steps and took the pink paper. She looked down and saw a phone number listed.
“You use pink sticky notes?” Her mouth twitched in amusement.
“My secretary does.”
The secretary again.
“Anyway,” he continued. “That’s her cell. Apparently, she’s willing to answer any questions you have.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and headed for the door.
She watched him, wanting to call him back and ask what he did with her ring. Only that would place more significance on it then she cared to admit.
He pushed the door open and paused, turning around. “I never meant to hurt you.”
And like that, he was gone.
Michelle didn’t know how long she stared at the front door, but it was long enough for her to see Chloe walk in.
Chloe opened the door and looked over her shoulder. “What are you looking at?”
She blinked. “I was just a little distracted.” She walked over to give her a hug. “How are you?”
“Good.” Chloe peered up at her with anxious eyes. “Any leads?”
“Actually, yes. I just got contact information from one of your mom’s old classmates.” She held the sticky up. “I’m going to give her a call to see what she knows about your mom or who she dated.”
“Thank you,” she breathed out. “I was worried there would be no leads to follow.”
Michelle sat down at the vacant desk in the front and crossed her legs. “Now, I don’t want to get your hopes up. I’m not sure what she knows, but it is an avenue to consider.”
Chloe sat down across from her. “Don’t worry, I know I gave you a hefty task. I’m just thankful you have some place to start your search.”
Michelle peered at her friend. She started to twirl the ring on her finger, but it was gone. The tan line
stared back up at her. “Chlo, can I ask why you want to find your dad after all these years?”
Chloe looked down at her hands and let out a soft sigh. When her friend finally lifted her gaze to meet hers, Michelle could tell tears were only a few blinks away. “I don’t have any family left. As much as I tried to continue life after my grandma died, I can’t help but feel isolated. Alone.” A shudder wracked her slender frame as Chloe wiped a tear away. “Sure, I have you and Jo, but at the end of the day, you guys go home and live your life. I have no one to share mine with.”
“I can certainly understand that.” And she could.
Life royally sucked after her parents died and she wasn’t afraid to let everyone know. But maybe she was stronger than Chloe. Michelle didn’t need constant company to make her feel all right.
Don’t you?
She gave a mental wave of her hand to dislodge the thought like unwanted dust bunnies. “Chloe, you do know Darryl would love to keep you company, right?”
Chloe’s face turned beet red. “What? I don’t know what you mean. I mean, do you really think that’s true? Has he said anything to you? Are you certain you’re not misreading things? Then again, who even said I cared?” She ended her breathless rant gasping for air and probably for more words to fill the dead space.
Michelle filled it with laughter instead. “Girl, everyone can tell how much he likes you, but you.”
Chloe shook her head in denial. “I don’t think so, Michelle. He’s just being nice.”
“No man is that nice.” She wanted to clap her hand over her mouth as soon as the words flew out. She’d be completely naive to think Chloe would miss the censure in her voice.
“I’ll leave that comment alone if you don’t bring Darryl back up.”
Michelle stared at her friend. Why was Chloe so afraid to explore the thought of her and Darryl together? Hadn’t she just complained about not having people around? But at the same time, Michelle didn’t want to open that can of worms by being on the receiving end of the same type of questions.
“Okay, mums the word.”
They reached across the table and shook hands.
