OUT OF THE BLUE

by Caroline Clemmons

  How could he make her understand? “We lived on that crazy commune-turned-cooperative farm when I was a kid. Then while I was at my grandparents’, she’d moved from one small apartment to another. Places only slightly better than the one where Michelle lived.”

  “And you offered her the security I’m enjoying this minute.” She giggled. “Not like this, of course, but you made her feel protected and safe as you make me feel.”

  “You’re not that secure, honey. I have definite designs on your virtue.” He nipped at her neck to emphasize his intentions.

  “As I do on yours.” She giggled again and cupped him. “But don’t try to change the subject.”

  Her playful touch set fantasies playing in his head, and he forced himself to focus. ”Yeah, okay. I bought her the shop and we both looked for the perfect place to live. One day when I was fishing, I found this house with a For Sale sign at water’s edge. Mom loved the location as much as I did.”

  “So you purchased it.”

  “Immediately, because several others were ready to sign a contract for it. I told her it was hers and no one could ever take it away from her but, in truth, both our names are on the deed. I brought the furniture and paintings I liked from my grandparents’ home and we split them between this place and my condo, then filled in with other pieces. I’m thankful the better pieces are here and not ashes.”

  “You didn’t want their home?”

  “House,” he corrected. “It was never a home, and most of their furniture was sold with the house. No happy memories there.” The memory of his time there brought a bitter taste. “I never once felt I belonged there. I believed I was always on probation and any minute they might send me away for tracking in mud or forgetting which fork to use at dinner.”

  She feathered kisses on his cheek. “No wonder your poor father rebelled.”

  “Right. I’d been at my grandparents’ house less than a week before I figured that one out.”

  “Brendan?” She leaned up to look at him, her hair cascading like a waterfall across his chest. “You know you don’t have to keep trying to make up for the things your father and grandparents did.”

  “What? That’s nuts. What made you say that?” Where’d she come off psychoanalyzing him? He was the stable one.

  “It’s true. You’re trying to repay the world for rules your father broke, for any wrongs your grandparents caused. That’s why you became a policeman and why you help so many people.” She laid her hand along his jaw and made him look at her. “Tom told Blossom and me what you did for Bill, the boy who sold me my papers.”

  Hell, why couldn’t those kids keep their mouths shut? “Aw, sooner or later he’d have been caught. I didn’t want him to get you and Mom in trouble.”

  Lying back in the crook of his arm, she sighed. “That’s not all, you wanted to help him. Like you helped me. Like you helped Michelle. And provided a funeral for her father. Who knows how many others you’ve aided?”

  “Not so many.” Uncomfortable talking about his efforts to smooth the way of a few people, he raised on his elbow.

  She touched his lips, tracing them before she spoke. “Yes, it’s one of the things I love about you.” She gasped and looked embarrassed. “It’s that sorry I am for gushing at you. Don’t feel you must say anything of the same.” Looking ready to cry, she turned her face away.

  But he caressed her cheek until she looked at him. “I love you too, Deirdre.” He cradled her against him side. “I didn’t want it to happen, fought against loving you. But in the short time you’ve been here, you’ve come to mean more to me than I believed possible.”

  “Even though you doubted my visions and my story of how I arrived here?”

  “Since I saw the parish records, I have to believe you fell through time and plopped out of the blue beside me. Lord knows I’ve tried to come up with another explanation. The visions threw me, but I’m getting used to then too. Give me time, honey.”

  She slid her hand along his abdomen, sending fiery tremors through him. “I think, deep down, you still doubt the visions. Especially when I say Owen’s after you.”

  “When I saw those men try to grab you, I realized my love for you is deeper and stronger than any doubts I ever had about anything you’ve told me. Let’s forget about everyone but us.” He dipped his head to taste her lips.

  Pure honey. Ambrosia. Rose and lemon scented nectar of the gods.

  Much later, when they’d showered the second time and dressed, Deirdre went to the kitchen to search out the ingredients for a late dinner.

  Brendan announced he’d take Prince for a walk. “Don’t open the door for anyone but Mom or Dave.”

  “I won’t. D—Do you have your gun? Please take it with you.”

  When Brendan looked at her and raised his eyebrows in question, she shook her head. “No, I haven’t had a vision, but it only makes sense.”

  He smiled. “Right.” He went back to the bedroom and emerged a moment later.

  She didn’t see the gun, but she knew he carried it somewhere. Perhaps at his waistband, because his shirt hung loose over his jeans. “I’ll have us something ready to eat when you return.”

  He whistled to Prince, who leaped eagerly and danced to the door. Punching in the alarm code to allow him to leave while it remained active, Brendan held the door for Prince, and then stepped outside behind his dog.

  If only his unwavering loyalty to Owen hadn’t blinded him to the truth. Mayhap then Brendan would know what to do to end this siege. She prayed his eyes would be opened before evil Owen killed the man she loved. Aye, and maybe others such as Blossom and herself.

  Deirdre took the remains of a baked ham from the refrigerator. She stood studying the box of potatoes she’d found in the pantry. “Listen to this, Cathbad.” She shook the box and the contents rattled. “Doesn’t sound at all like potatoes. Curious, isn’t it?”

  Cathbad yawned as if he was less than intrigued. His head swiveled to watch when Dave and Blossom came in.

  “See you tomorrow, love.” Dave kissed Blossom, waved at Deirdre and left. Blossom reset the alarm.

  The constant action with the security system increased Deirdre’s stress. No sooner would she begin to relax than the red light reminded her to stay alert. On her guard. The severity of the situation frayed her nerves and added to her anxiety, sapping her energy.

  Blossom grabbed a knife and pared thick slices from the ham. “I’m glad you’re being careful and using the alarm.”

  Poor Blossom must be exhausted by all this too. What should she say to Blossom about the way she’d carried on with her hostess’ son? Deirdre’s face heated with embarrassment. No point in lying or pretending nothing had changed. “Blossom,...it’s sorry I am if I’ve dishonored your hospitality by being with your son. If you want me to go from here I’ll understand.”

  Blossom smiled and put down the knife, then hurried to embrace her in a hug. “My dear, I’m so happy the two of you found one another. My son’s been lost for so long. I’ve prayed you and he would fall in love.”

  “You have?” Her surprise tuned to pleasure. “Me, too. That is, I love him, but I wanted him to love me back.” Shyly, she admitted, “He said he does love me. I don’t think he’d say so unless he meant it, do you?”

  “No, dear, he wouldn’t. I’m so happy he’s realized what I knew at once—you’re his other half. Didn’t I tell you I already thought of you as family, as the daughter I’ve always wanted?”

  “But you’re kind to everyone. I thought you meant as a sister to Brendan.” She shook her head. “But I care for him in a very different way.”

  “Of course you do, dear. I know that. I’ve only been waiting for the both of you to discover and admit it to one another.” She hugged Deirdre again. “And it’s true I occasionally help others, but I’ve never told anyone else I thought of her as family or as a daughter.”

  Pleasure swirled through Deirdre. Blossom truly wanted her to be with Brendan. “And is Dave y
our other half?”

  Blossom looked sad for a moment then brightened. “Yes, I think he is. I loved Brendan’s dad with all of my being at the time. But it wasn’t the rewarding love I share with Dave. Trey’s wildness kept us from being one in the way I hope you and Brendan will be.” She smiled. “Dave makes me laugh. He’s loving and thoughtful to be with, and far more comforting than Trey.”

  “Do you think he’ll propose then?”

  Blossom laughed. “Dear, he did and I accepted, but it happened the same day Brendan was shot. We’ve only just been waiting for Brendan to recover. Then, when you came, I sensed you were exactly the medicine my son’s heart required to heal. The one person he needed in his life.”

  Deirdre sniffed at the tears of happiness that threatened. “It’s happy I am to hear you say so. For I believe the same about him for myself.”

  The next day, Brendan drove Blossom and Deirdre to work and walked them inside the door. He was still kicking himself for letting his mom drive home alone the night before while he’d been intent on Deirdre. Not that he regretted a second he’d spent with her.

  “I’ll come back as soon as I’ve checked mug shots. Those two men haven’t been located yet.” He nodded at the armed off-duty policeman standing guard at the door and guided the two women inside.

  Blossom smiled at the man, and then whispered, “Son, I’m not sure the guard is necessary. We’ll stay inside the shop. No mailbox for us today.”

  “And if those two come in with a gun, what will you do?” Brendan didn’t especially like the man he’d hired, Harry Williams, but he trusted him. Harry had just retired and was eager for this duty.

  His mother stopped. “You don’t think they’d actually come in here?”

  Deirdre patted his mother’s arm. “Blossom, those two would do anything. We should be thankful Brendan found Officer Williams to keep us safe when he’s not here.”

  Brendan smiled at her, grateful she understood and hadn’t fought him on this. “She’s right, Mom. Leaving you alone at home while I went to the station didn’t seem safe either, so I decided you’d probably be better off here but with protection.”

  After a word with Williams, Brendan drove to the cop shop.

  He poured over mug books until he spotted the man who’d driven the car. “That’s the one who pointed the gun at Deirdre. Assault, robbery. Guy’s spent his life in and out of jail. Look at the string of aliases—Jimmy Herriman, James Harrigan, Joey Harmon, Harry Jameson, Harris James.”

  “Add another.” George had come in this morning to help out and pulled over a sheet of paper. “The car’s registered to Jameson Harris. Officer who checked the address given said it’s a house that’s been vacant for years. About to fall down.”

  “What a surprise.” Brendan kept up the search. “The gunman called the other guy Rod. Man, my eyes are ready to cross. You look through these?”

  “So often I’ve about memorized some pages. Matching up to a sketch is hardest for me.” George limped to a coffeepot and brought back two cups. “This stuff will uncross your eyes.”

  Brendan took a sip. “Whoa, you register this brew as a dangerous weapon?” He turned a few more pages. “Here he is. Rodney Worth. No aliases, but a long list of offenses. Always gets off with a slap on the wrist.”

  George took the info for both men. “Maybe not this time. Every name and fact tightens the net.”

  “Owen in?”

  “No, not today. Neither is Conor.”

  Brendan took a gulp of the coffee. Bad as it tasted, he could use the caffeine. “I still don’t know how Conor pulled off shifting the blame to Larry and me.”

  “I can’t figure it either. Or who spilled the story to the press. Chief Gordon was so pissed his face turned red and I thought he’d bust a blood vessel.”

  Brendan chuckled. “I’ve seen the look. Scary to behold.“ Tossing his empty Styrofoam cup into the trash, he shook his head. “Still can’t figure it all out. Sorry I ever involved you. Make sure you watch your back.”

  Lost with time to kill, Brendan went for his physical therapy then stopped by a men’s store. Quickly filling some gaps in his wardrobe, he stowed his purchases and stopped at a bookseller. He made a couple of selections then drove to The Sunshine Shoppe to wait until closing. He picked one of the two comfortable armchairs and opened one of the books he’d just bought. He liked to read, but he couldn’t stand those kooky self-help and nutrition books his mom stocked.

  The next morning, wearing her black dress, Deirdre drew her lace scarf from her purse. “It’s kind of you to come to mass with me.”

  Brendan dragged his heels, a frown on his face.

  Blossom walked beside her. “We don’t have to cover our heads in church now. Some women still do, but I prefer not to muss my hair.”

  Astonished, Deirdre asked, “You mean God changed his mind?”

  Blossom’s lovely laugh bubbled forth. “Oh, my dear, you do me so much good. I don’t suppose God ever cared in the first place, do you? Personally, I believe He’s much more concerned with what’s in our hearts. Yours is generous, full of love and compassion.”

  After the service, Father Michael beamed as they walked by. “Good to see all of you.” He sent Brendan a meaningful look. “Hope to see you at confession soon.”

  As they walked away, Brendan mumbled, “Always pushing his luck.”

  Deirdre suppressed a giggle and spoke low so only Brendan could hear. “And we’d have had a lot to confess to the poor man. Imagine having to listen to such things. Sure and even a saintly man must tire of hearing about the lustful shenanigans of others.”

  “What we’ve done wouldn’t surprise Father Michael. But I’ll bet some of the confessions singe his hair.”

  Ma would have reminded her of the rudeness of excluding her hostess from the conversation. Deirdre slowed and joined Blossom. “It’s strange to have another day off so soon.”

  Brendan opened the car doors for Blossom and her. “A guard will be at the store until this mess is settled, whether you and Mom are there are not. I can’t believe I left Mom there to drive home alone Friday.”

  “I was fine, son. They wouldn’t have come back so soon anyway.” Blossom’s lovely laugh bubbled from her throat. “They’re probably still washing salsa off the car, but Deirdre and I can use an extra day to recuperate. This whole thing has been frightening.”

  “Mom, they could have waited for you where they ran me off the road. I slipped up but, thank God, it turned out okay. From now on, neither of you will be alone and there’ll be a guard until those two are caught.”

  Deirdre climbed into front. “That’s best, though it must cost a fortune. I’d hate for those men to harm one of the customers or associates. Mayhap they’ll be caught soon.”

  From the back seat, Blossom spoke. “Living with fear is exhausting. Brendan, I took your suggestion and allowed the guard. Deirdre and I will keep a low profile until those men are apprehended.”

  Deirdre said, “Polly’s a good manager.”

  Brendan started the car’s engine and pulled out of the cathedral parking lot. “If your shop associates can’t get along without you for an extra day off now and then, how will you get away long enough to take that cruise you’re always talking about? Relax and enjoy yourself.”

  “Hmph, so you say, son, but being on alert all the time is hardly relaxing. If I were sailing in the Caribbean, I’d be having fun.”

  “Hey, that hurts. Don’t you think being with Deirdre and me is fun?”

  “Of course it is. And you’re a fine one to talk. How many vacations have you taken?”

  Chapter Thirty One

  Deirdre waited for Brendan to answer, but he appeared engrossed in his driving. Vacations were another new thing for her. She supposed that’s what she and Ma had the two times they went to Galway City, even though Ma spent most of the time buying plants and talking to other herbalists.

  They met at Dave’s for lunch and an afternoon relaxing in Dave’
s sunroom. Why he called it that, Deirdre didn’t know, because they were shaded. A large overhead fan whirled gently. Screens on three sides extended out from his house and invited the lake’s cool breezes without annoying insects.

  Dave and Blossom sat on the wicker loveseat, talking low. Deirdre set the glider swing swaying gently, reveling in the joy of being part of this lovely family. Brendan lay with his head in her lap, and he’d dozed off after reading the paper. She guessed Cathbad would be napping on his windowsill rest at home, but Prince slept at their feet. On an afternoon like this, the world seemed perfect with trouble far, far away.

  Brendan startled awake when his cell phone rang. He sat up and answered. “Hunter here.” After a second he said, “I’ll be damned.” His face showed shock as he listened. “Thanks, George.” He hung up.

  Deirdre asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Conor Wilson’s dead. Suicide.” He shook his head. “George thinks something’s not right but told me not to bother driving into town. He’s sharp, but I’ll worry unless I check this out.”

  Dave stood. “I’ll take the ladies inside then and set the intrusion alarm. You do what you need to and we’ll wait to hear from you.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see what I can learn.”

  Driving in, Brendan wondered if he’d be welcome at the station. First, he stopped by to see what George learned.

  George invited him inside. “Mary took the kids to visit her mom in Graham. Hate you drove in for nothing. I was about to call you again.”

  Brendan followed him to the living room. “What have you found out about Conor’s death?”

  “He was at a motel at the edge of town. Maid found him this morning. Shot in the temple with his gun and a typed suicide note nearby.” George sat in a recliner and gestured for Brendan to sit in the chair near him. The room was neat today, with no sign of laundered clothes waiting to be put away and no toys scatted across the room.

  “You know what the note said?”