Chapter Sixteen #2
She listened to the words and watched him in silence.
The wall was building—she could feel it.
It was the defense she had learned and used for years with her father and her ex.
Now, it was Rance’s turn. “You knew I would be leaving…by myself. It would have been nice to know that. But you did a good job. Your captain is right…you deserve more time in this place. Thank your family for me. Hope you catch a lot of fish. Goodbye, Marshal Parker.” The wall was in place.
She left him standing there, and she did not look back as she left the house and slid into the passenger seat of the SUV waiting for her.
Erin was aware that Rance must have followed her and stood on the deck, as he and his captain had their goodbyes.
He had earned a nice vacation after this tough assignment. Good for him.
The captain was very respectful on their trip back to civilization as she had labeled it in her mind.
Of course, he would be. She was aware of her reputation within the courthouse.
She was hard-hearted and tough on those criminals in front of her.
She made no friends within the building.
And she could say the same outside it. Business associates, legal colleagues, but what real friend could she give that label to?
Her housekeeper was someone she felt safe with…
as safe as she could. Something that had caused consternation with her father.
The people who worked for them were just that and no more. Perhaps she would get a dog?
She filed that thought in her brain. It just might have some merit. And Rance Parker had no place in her brain…nor in her heart. Silly fool. That was what she’d learned…again. She had almost forgotten reality. She was an assignment, and it had ended.
“Here we are,” the marshal said as he pulled up the drive and stopped at the steps to her front door. She did not wait for him to make it all the way to open her door. She did it herself. Then turned to thank him.
“I appreciate your help in this matter, Marshal. Thank you and thanks to the marshal service. Have a good evening.” She walked to the door and Nellie opened it as she reached the threshold.
The woman beamed at her, but then the smile faded.
She shut the door behind Erin. And that was when the dam broke.
No words, just tears. For the first time in many years, the tough judge wept…
wrapped in the arms of a mystified housekeeper.
*
“You look like…” Tori began, as she walked toward the figure seated on the steps leading to the river.
“Be careful how you finish that.” The voice was low and devoid of joking.
“Okay, you look fresh as a daisy in those worn jeans, fishy-smelling shirt and a couple days of beard growth. And judging by the six-pack missing two already…you might be having a pity party for one?” Tori sat down on the top step next to him.
“Don’t sit…” he began but she was faster. “Why are you here?”
“Someone saw Erin driving through town yesterday on the road headed to Austin. She wasn’t with you. So, we thought I should come out here because you aren’t answering your phone.”
“Maybe that might tell people I don’t want to talk or have company. I have another three days of vacation for doing a great job of protection.” His voice was matter of fact, and flat.
“Okay. I am guessing here, since all seemed fine earlier when Cassie saw you at the ranch, that something went south when you got back here. And another limb I will go out on is that it has a lot to do with Erin. Correct? You didn’t do something stupid, did you? We like her a lot.”
“I lied. She thinks I lied to her. And she was just an assignment that I easily turned over to my captain to get rid of for me.”
“Wow.”
“I wasn’t going to send her off on her own. But we got here and he told her that he wanted to save me the trip as I had earned another few days of vacation and she just changed. She became the assignment and thanked me for the good job and left…without even a last goodbye look.”
There was silence. Then Tori broke it. “Wow. I can see the issue. From both sides. But wow.”
“That’s real helpful. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. So, what are you going to do next?”
Rance glanced over at her for the first time. “Do? How do I do anything? She is back on her high bench, and I have no business in her courtroom. And I’m fairly certain she would figure a way to hold me in contempt and toss me in lockup if I dared set foot through the door.”
“So, you’re giving up. Erin is off the list just like all the other women. Probably for the best.”
“Reverse psychology? That’s what you’ve got?”
“Are you asking my opinion?”
“You usually just give it without anyone asking.”
She swatted his shoulder in a typical sis-to-brother love pat.
“If I were to be asked, I would tell you that you only go to her courtroom as the last option. What does she do with her life outside that courthouse? Hobby? Gym? Bookstore? With her you must think harder…something more meaningful. And you need to apologize for your lie the moment you get the chance…don’t beat around the bush. ”
“My what?”
“It was basically a lie by omission. For whatever reason you didn’t tell her what was what when you first knew about her going back and that she was going alone, but you were not going to have that happen and all…”
Tori stood. “There’s going to be a big charge on your bill for my big-sister consulting.”
Rance shook his head. “Thanks a lot for the unsolicited use of your services. Just charge it. Make sure I get the family rate.”
“You just make sure you remember that she’s worth it but only do this if you can finally say those hard words once and for all.”
“What words? I’m sorry?”
“I love you.” She tossed a wave as she left him alone with his thoughts and the river.