“The next thing we knew, Ward was getting a call that someone had broken into BB’s Café. Brenda was found lying on the floor unconscious, with a gash over her forehead, and the cash register drawer was open and empty. Brenda knew her attackers—personally.
“You have to understand that Alice and Hubert Howard were good God-fearing citizens and mortified at what their daughter and her boyfriend had done. Wade was still in Africa when we notified him. He petitioned the court for his dad and me to get legal custody of Meadow. With his father being in law enforcement and my career as a nurse, the judge ruled in our favor. We naturally let Meadow visit her other grandparents as often as they wanted.”
Addison listened in stunned silence. Finally she asked, “What happened to Gracie and the guy?”
“They both went to prison.” Lucy shook her head and sighed. “It gets worse.”
Addison gave a tentative smile to encourage Wade’s mother to continue. She couldn’t imagine how much worse the story could get. The woman’s pale blue eyes briefly met Addison’s and then looked away.
“Because of Wade’s job in the Marines, he didn’t get to the States often. He had it set up that support money was sent to our checking account monthly to take care of his baby girl. When Skype came available, his dad and I bought a computer and had Skype installed. It was a blessing because Wade got to see Meadow take her first step, and when he had time, he read stories to her. I can’t begin to tell you how ecstatic he was when Meadow called him Dada, and when we taught her how to throw kisses to him with her little hand, to say ‘bye-bye’ and ‘I wuv you.’ ”
For a moment, Lucy broke down and wept. “When Meadow was two years old, she got sick, and by the time she was three, she needed a bone marrow transplant. Wade’s unit was in some remote mountainous area in the Middle East. Somehow he wangled an emergency leave. As Meadow’s father, he was the perfect donor. Nell and Brenda came to the hospital to offer their support. We were all there.”
Lucy’s voice trembled, and it was clearly an effort for her to continue. Nell shifted to grip her friend’s hands. Nell cleared her throat. “I still get angry enough to strangle that little bitch for what she did.”
Lucy drew her eyebrows together. “Me, too, Nell. I’ll never forget the look on Wade’s face when he came to the waiting room to tell us that he wasn’t a match for Meadow’s DNA.”
This wasn’t the confession that Addison had expected. “You mean Wade isn’t Meadow’s father?”
“That’s right. The doctor assured us that the test was ninety-nine point nine-nine-nine percent accurate that Wade was not Meadow’s father. Ward immediately contacted the prison where Tony was housed. According to Alice, Gracie was O negative. As it turned out, Tony wasn’t the father either. Meadow’s blood type was rare. The doctor said less than six percent of the population carried her type.” Lucy heaved a huge sigh. “Gracie admitted that she didn’t know who the father was. She actually laughed when she admitted that she’d slept with most of the football team and some of the young male tourists, and she was pregnant when she and Wade married. That was the reason for the hurry-up wedding.”
“I hesitate to ask.” Addison’s voice was faint. “Where is Meadow now?”
Lucy’s voice trembled. “She’s buried in the Meadow Creek Church cemetery. Had she lived, she would turn seventeen this coming May.” She picked up her cup and, finding it empty, set it back down. “Wade was devastated…nearly broken. Afterward, he started volunteering for every dirty job the Marines offered. I think he had died emotionally and hoped a bullet would finalize his death.
“Shortly afterward, the Howards sold their home and moved to South Carolina. They simply couldn’t face the friends they had known forever, after what had happened to Brenda and then with the baby’s death. We never heard from them again.”
Nell had sat quiet during the entire explanation. She could do nothing but sigh. “I owe Brenda an apology for not believing she thought she saw Gracie yesterday.”
Addison pressed the tips of her fingers to her eyes. “My emotions are going haywire. Why didn’t Wade tell me?”
Nell said, “You of all people should understand, Addison. It was too hard for him to relive the hurt.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. He must think I hate him.”
The wariness in Lucy Grey’s voice was unmistakable. “The question is why did Gracie return to Meadow Creek? She’s been out of prison for at least ten years. So what does she want from Wade?”
Ava reached over and clasped her mother’s hands. “Her returning may be a good thing, Mom. He’s never been clear about his feelings for Gracie. One minute he still loves her, the next he hates her, the next he’s befuddled.” She directed her attention to Addison. “I’m going to ask you straight out, and please be honest—do you love my brother and are you willing to fight for him? If not, cut it off. Don’t leave him dangling.”
Addison drew a deep breath as Wade’s image appeared in her mind—a far fresher image than his sister could imagine. She lifted her chin. “There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but unequivocally yes! I am in love with Wade, and Gracie has met her match.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Wade spoke between gritted teeth. Her black dress, short hair spiked with gold tips, and black makeup that reminded him of a zombie didn’t resemble the girl he’d married. “What the hell are you doing here, Gracie?”
She reached for her glass of wine. “Oh, pookie, aren’t you happy to see me?”
Mustering his self-control, he said, “You didn’t answer my question. How did you know I’d be here, and with Addison?”
Letting her breath out in an exaggerated sigh, Gracie offered a smug smile. “I was the one who bid the five hundred on you. I was about to shit my britches hoping someone else would bid higher, ’cause, man, I didn’t have the dough, you know.” She sniggered at her joke. “Anyhow, I was standing practically on top of you when you opened the envelope and said it was for dinner at Le Chalet.”
The puzzled look on his face prompted her to say, “When I was trying to be an actress I learned the art of disguise.” She giggled. “Fooled you, didn’t I?”
Rage trembled through him as he pushed back his chair. “Why are you dressed like a Halloween goth witch?”
She answered with a condescending shrug. In a slightly uncoordinated movement, Gracie lifted the goblet but missed her mouth. Wine spilled down her chin. She seemed to be drifting away when Wade rescued the wineglass before it toppled from her fingers.
She giggled a hiccup. “Oops! I seem to have made a mess.”
Using his thumb to guide her face toward his, he looked past the dark owlish makeup and into her eyes. He leaned forward and kept his voice low. “You’re stoned. What did you take?”
She rolled her eyes. “Pookie, don’t be mad. It’s just a little feel-good medicine.”
“Stop calling me that name.” Setting his jaw, he hooked his arm through hers and hissed, “Come on—and as you said—don’t make a scene.”
She wobbled as he helped her from the chair. “Chill out, Pookie. All I want is you.”
At the courtesy desk, the hostess said, “Sheriff Grey, is something wrong? The other lady seemed upset. She left in a white van.”
He forced a smile. “A little misunderstanding with an unexpected guest.” He pulled the white envelope from his suitcoat pocket and laid it on the desk. “The festival committee and I appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Bettencort’s kind gesture.”
The hostess shifted a perceptive glance from the sheriff to the woman. She used the tip of her finger to shove the envelope forward. “I can clearly see the intrusive mistake, Sheriff. Since you hadn’t yet ordered, we would be pleased if you keep the certificate and be our guest another time.”
Wade thanked the hostess. He returned the envelope to his pocket. “What do I owe you for her glass of wine?”
The hostess shook her head. “She paid for it.”
He grabbed the black wrap Gracie
indicated from a hook by the door and escorted her into the cold.
The doorman said, “Will you be going for a sleigh ride, Sheriff?”
“Not this time, Billy.”
He practically dragged Gracie down the snow-covered walk to his truck. He wrenched open the passenger door and lifted her inside.
It was much darker out than it had been twenty minutes ago, and it had begun to snow. Hunched against the cold, he hastened to his side of the truck and climbed in. He turned the key in the ignition. While waiting for the heater to work its magic, Wade dialed Millie’s number. He tapped his finger against the steering wheel waiting for her to answer.
“What’s up, Wade?”
“Millie, I know you’re off duty. I’m bringing in a female and need you to process her.”
“I thought you were on a date with Addison.”
“Something came up. Tell Pop I’m bringing Gracie in, and if he’d rather not be there I’ll understand.”
“Gracie…your Gracie? No…forget that. I’ll relay the message to your dad.”
“Also, call my sister. Gracie’s in a bad way. She’ll need something to get her through the night.”
He disconnected and shifted the truck into gear. Gracie scooted close. Her hand found its way to his thigh and then between his legs where she gripped him. She purred, “Feeling you inside me—that’s all I want right now.”
Shit. He fought to keep his deprived libido from responding to her.
He reached down and removed her hand. “There was a time when I would’ve taken you up on it.” He kept his eyes on the snowy road. “Not anymore.”
She snuggled against him. “If you’re worried I’ll get pregnant—don’t. I had my incubator removed years ago.”
When he didn’t answer, she shifted her gaze to look at him. “Look, I’ve screwed up my life plenty.” She let out a breath and a shaky laugh. “Don’t you want me?”
“You didn’t answer my question, Gracie. Why did you come back to Meadow Creek?”
She scooted down in the seat, her chin resting on his thigh. Her fingers found the way to his zipper. “I’m horny as hell, Wade. I’ve always been horny. I can’t seem to get enough sex to satisfy me.”
Wade slammed on the brakes. He gripped the steering wheel to hold the skidding truck steady until it rolled to a stop. Grabbing the keys from the ignition, he opened the door and practically jumped from the truck. He sucked in gulps of air, allowing the cold to chill his heated body. Damn his body for responding. He jogged to the passenger side and yanked open the door. He opened the glove compartment and removed a pair of handcuffs.
“Sit up and lean forward,” he barked out the command.
When she obeyed, he cuffed her hands behind her back. “Blow out a breath.”
In the truck’s overhead light Gracie’s flush was obvious. Her reply was ballsy. “Okay, I confess. I took a speedball. So arrest me.”
He growled. “That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
He slammed the door and returned to the driver’s side. The wheels spun on the icy road as he eased the truck forward. “In high school you were smart, and beautiful, and with a great future. Help me understand what happened to you.”
Gracie slid her petite frame down in the seat and curled into a ball. She sounded more like a child than a grown woman. “I didn’t want to be a nurse, or a wife, or a mother. My parents were always yammering at me about going to college, about being responsible. I wanted to live life—to be a party girl.” Her voice grew contemptuous. “I wanted money, lots and lots of money, and jewelry, a mansion with a swimming pool, and sexy pool boys at my beck and call.”
She swung her body into a sitting position. “You were boring, Wade Grey, captain of the football team, big man at school. Even your one position sex was b-o-r-i-n-g! I couldn’t wait to put you and this one-horse town behind me.”
And then she broke into hiccupping sobs. Tremors shook her body. She moaned and gagged and lifted beseeching brown eyes to him. “I don’t have any money.” She clutched her abdomen. “The cramps are setting in. Please, Wade, we can go to a motel, or we can do it right here in the truck.” She struggled to sit upright. Her voice quavered as she added, “I’ll make it worth your while if you’ll please get me a hit of dust.”
When he didn’t answer, she mewled, “I want my mommy.” Then in an agitated breath, she moaned, “Where the hell are my friggin’ parents? I went to their house, and the woman said to get the hell off her porch or she’d call you.”
Wade knew Gracie was in agony. He’d seen what withdrawals did to addicts. Still he kept his eyes on the road and remained silent, suffering his own anguish.
She screamed and started kicking the dashboard. “You sanctimonious bastard, you gotta get me a hit.”
“Not on your life.” Relief washed over him when the lights of town came into view.
In front of his office, he slammed the truck into park and cut the ignition. He pulled Gracie into his arms and carried her up the steps. Millie held the door wide for him. His father stood next to an open cell door and waited for Wade to lay Gracie on the cot and cover her with a blanket.
Ward asked, “What happened? Drunk?”
Wade hated seeing his father’s eyes filled with outrage. Yet he fully understood the emotion. He fought against the tie that felt like a noose around his neck. “No, speedball.”
Ward expelled a disgusted snort. “In any form, cocaine’s bad stuff.”
Millie asked Wade if he wanted a cup of coffee. He acknowledged with a nod as he locked the cell door.
“I’m sorry as I can be, son. For you, your mother, me,” he nodded toward the sleeping woman, “and even her.”
Ward hobbled over to a chair and sat down. It was plain his gout was still bothering him. He accepted the cup from Millie, and said, “You might as well show him. Bad as it is, it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Millie motioned Wade to her desk. She moved the computer’s mouse to awaken the screen. A disheveled image of Gracie stared back at him. He released a whistling sigh. “Active warrant: Wanted for passing bad checks and credit card fraud.” He scrolled to another page and read: “Prostitution, extortion, dealing.”
“I’m sad for her, Pop. What a waste.”
“She’s put you through hell. You gonna be okay, son?”
Tamping down emotions he’d been wrestling with, Wade forced a smile. “Whatever feelings for Gracie I’ve been holding onto all these years have completely vanished.” Lying like a lump under an olive green blanket, she suddenly reminded him of roadkill, and he found the sight of her disgusting.
He kept a steady voice. “Millie, notify Los Angeles PD that we’re holding their perp. They can pick her up any time.”
He sent his father home and ordered Millie to retire to the cell reserved for deputies. He dimmed the office lights. For a bit he watched the fish, which seemed to be asleep. And then he opened his phone. It was late, too late to make a phone call. His thumbs moved across the keys.
He sent the first text to his sister explaining about Gracie’s drug use, and the possibility of needing to send her to the hospital. Ava responded that she’d come right over to check on Gracie.
To Addison he texted: —We belong together. Don’t give up on us—
Addison:—I won’t if you are always honest with me—
Wade propped his feet on the desk. —Tomorrow. I’d like to explain about G—
Addison: —No need. Your mother filled me in. I’m so sorry about Meadow—
Wade: —Thanks. I’d still like to see you—
Addison signed off with a heart emoji and: —Tomorrow. G’night—
Chapter Thirty-Three
J.J. tossed her duffel bag into the police car’s back seat. “Not many people out on New Year’s Day. I guess most of them partied too much last night.”
Wade smiled over at J.J. “Most of the tourists have gone back to wherever they came from. Which is nice because we can kick back and relax a
little until the season gears up again.”
“Thanks for picking me up.”
“You bet. By the way, I’ve got you enrolled at the academy. You’ll actually begin classes next Tuesday. We’ll work your duty schedule around your class schedule. Tomorrow, I’ll officially swear you in as my deputy.”
“Honestly, Sheriff, I’d like to squeal like a silly girl. That’s how happy I am.”
Wade laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with a little happy squealing, J.J.”
As Wade approached Millie’s duplex, he said, “Hmm, there’s a strange car parked out front. Millie doesn’t own a car.” He pulled the cruiser in behind the vehicle. “Just as a precaution, let’s check it out. Stay behind me.”
On the porch, he bent and pulled the key from under the doormat and held it up. “Let this be a lesson to you. The first place an intruder always looks.” He inserted the key and, using caution, eased the door open. He stepped inside the room with J.J. on his heels.
Voices rang out, “Happy New Year and Welcome Home!”
Joey and Julie raced to their startled mother’s open arms. After hugs and kisses, she said, “This is too much! I don’t know what to say.”
The crowd of friends parted to open up a view of the room. Nell stepped forward. “The sofa and chair are from Emmett. Millie made curtains for all the rooms. Brenda stocked the refrigerator with enough food to feed an army.”
Nell’s unintentional pun brought a round of guffaws.
She went on to say, “Addison wanted the twins to have their own beds and quilts, and the rest of us made sure your electric is paid for an entire year. It’s our way of thanking you for putting your life on the line for all Americans, and to let you know that you and the twins are part of our family.”
J.J. wiped the tears from her eyes. “Soldiers aren’t supposed to cry. I’m breaking that rule.”
Christmas at Hope Ranch Page 21
