Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Cain had plenty of memories of his own at the lake, just not the kind that made a son want to stay around. “Kind of amazing how good this dock looks after all these years.”
“That’s because I have it repaired every year.
” Betsy walked back to shore and sat on the bench next to the dock.
“You probably already know that Ameren owns the Lake of the Ozarks. And they do a great job because of their regulations. From the beginning, my dad instilled in us to always follow the rules, which is exactly what he did when he built this dock. I’ve followed that lead every year since. ”
Eyeing the property, Cain was amazed by not only the view, but the mile marker, the gentle lay of the land and the easy drive from town. A rustle of fallen oak leaves in the near distance caused him to pull his gun, letting it hang down his side as if an extension of his arm.
Betsy jumped from the bench. Tensed and turning to look in the same direction as him. Breathing faster, she inched closer against him. “What should we do?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” Without looking in her direction, he gently pushed her behind him, yet always stayed focused on the moving whisper of a sound. The sound of someone or something heavy.
Seconds later, a doe slipped from the woodline. Two more edged in and around the trees behind. He blew out a cheek-puffing sigh. Beside him, Betsy softly breathed out a sigh of relief along with a soft nervous laugh. She sat back down on the bench.
Any other circumstance, he’d have taken time to listen closer in the first place. He’d have realized it wasn’t a person. But the adrenaline and intense focus of being in a possible life-and-death situation had pushed him to the worst-case scenario right off the bat.
He pocketed his gun. “What about you? When are you going to build a house out here?”
She shook her head. “Never.”
“Why? You love the water.”
“Too many wonderful memories can make for a painful barrier to change.” Patting the seat beside her, she motioned for him to join her.
He took her invitation and sat on the other end of the bench.
For a moment he considered what she’d said.
He’d never thought of memories tied to love and laughter as anything but nice to have.
There hadn’t been many of those in his life, and he treasured the few he held on to.
Yet that same happiness had somehow become a chain for Betsy.
Relaxing into the back curve of the bench, he stared out at the sun lowering over the water.
Today had been filled with good and bad.
Fear for Betsy had rested heavy on his shoulders this morning.
Now the day was slowly turning to warmth and friendship.
He rested his forearm on the arm of the bench, his other hand comfortably braced on the seat slats between him and Betsy.
“Sorry if I triggered the sad part of memories for you,” Cain said.
“No problem. It’s just part of who I am.” She slightly turned toward him and scrunched her knees up on the seat between them. “That end-of-summer day left me with a lot of memories. Like the last time me and my dad sat on the end of the dock, feeding the leftover worms to the fish in the lake.”
“Sounds like a great way to end the day.”
“More than you can imagine.” Her chin trembled.
“That’s also when he told me I should look after Mama and my sisters if anything ever happened to him.
Said he had no doubt I was the one with the strength to be in charge.
” She swiped her fingers beneath her eyes.
“I’ve been looking after them ever since the day he was killed. ”
Cain’s hand…Betsy’s knees…a space the width of a penny between them. Yet trust seemed to fill that penny’s space.
“I’m sorry, Betsy. That has to be a heavy load to carry.”
“It’s okay. I can do it forever.” She pulled her knees closer. “Besides, they don’t need me to watch out for them…and they let me know loud and clear sometimes. I just can’t stop.”
Off in the woods, a woodpecker was hard at work on a tree. From the lake, the sound of a boat motor echoed from miles away. Occasionally, the rattle and pop of pine trees gave a backdrop to the cold and wind of the season. Life went on around them as if they weren’t even there.
For one of the few times in his life, Cain felt peace. “I’m sure your dad is proud of you.”
Somehow, during the past hour or so, he’d let himself wonder what it would be like to settle down.
To have a wife and kids waiting for him when he came home from work.
To feel the heat of lying next to the same person every night for the rest of his life.
The thought felt like walking in a dream. One he didn’t want to end.
She straightened her legs till her feet were back on the ground. Moved a bit closer to him and glanced down at his hand before covering it with her own. “I hope he’s proud. I’ve done the best I can. But whatever’s happening now is a whole different type of danger. And I need some help.”
Realizing the depth of what she’d said, he nodded. “I’m always here for you. I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Her expression changed as she stood and raised the hood of her parka, pulling the zipper on her coat all the way up to her chin. “But you did leave. In fact, once this case is solved and you sell your house, you’ll leave again.”
“What are you talking about?”
She stared out at the end of the dock. “Can you honestly tell me you aren’t going to leave Crayton?”
“I don’t have any idea what I’ll do when that time comes. Why is this—”
His phone rang. “Yeah.”
“This is JB. Where you at?”
Cain clicked the call to speaker phone. “Betsy wanted to come to the lake, so we’re here at her lot. Where are you?”
“When I saw what was going on, I headed back to Crayton. Truman drove them to the airport. In fact, he decided to go with them to New York. He said he’d be there if anything went wrong.” JB nervously laughed. “Sadie said he’d be there with his wallet if they wanted anything.”
“JB, I appreciate you rushing back to Crayton. Especially because of me, and don’t try to say it’s only because you’re the acting sheriff. I’m not that na?ve.” Betsy pushed past Cain and started walking to the truck. “But dang it all. Now I have to worry about you, too.”
Cain clicked off the speaker phone. “Hey, JB—”
“What was that all about?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure.” He absentmindedly pushed the remote start on his key fob. By the time she got to the truck, the heat should be warming the interior. He just hoped she wouldn’t drive away with his truck.
“How’s she doing?” JB asked, sincerely concerned.
“It’s been a hard twenty-four hours for her. What with the lookie-loo customer being killed in the car lot last night. Now all the destruction at the dealership and her house today, I think she’s about reached her limit.”
JB sighed. “Makes sense. She’s tough, but we all have our limits.”
Cain could relate. He knew his limits. One reason he was considering leaving the DEA was because he didn’t want to cross a line that took him to playing on the wrong side of the law.
He’d seen that happen to agents. Usually ended bad for the agent or someone who had put their trust in the person. Wasn’t a pretty sight for either one.
The day he’d reached that line, he’d turned and walked away. Even took the leave of absence his boss had offered him. Now that he’d returned to Crayton, the idea of leaving the DEA entirely seemed to be inching closer and closer with every second.
“Have you had a chance to stop by Betsy’s house? Or the dealership?” Cain asked.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m calling.”
A few minutes later, Cain ended his call with JB. A second later an incoming text from his DEA boss caught his attention.
Hey, Cain—Just checking in to see if you’ve found what you’re looking for yet?
Had he? How would he even know when he found it?
Could be staring him in the face. Could be nothing but a mirage.
Was Betsy his future? The lake? Crayton?
Or was he being played by her? Set up by the person orchestrating the destruction at the dealership and her house as a way of distracting him?
He hoped like hell Betsy didn’t fall into that category.
Hey, boss, thanks for checking in. I’m still tied up in this consulting case with the Crayton police. Outcome iffy. May be blindside. Still looking for my place—Cain.
Starting up the hill, a gentle slope made the first three-quarters of the walk easy.
It was the last section that turned into a steep incline.
If anyone put a driveway in, there’d be that moment of trust as you pulled over the edge to drive down.
Kind of like that one type of roller coasters that have their cars built long in front.
Gives the illusion you’re going to fly straight off the rail if you keep going on the same trajectory.
Illusions happened in cases, also. He’d been an agent long enough to know things weren’t always what they seemed. So, he’d stay vigilant. Keep his eyes open. Hope he was just being paranoid. Trouble was—trust was easily shaded by emotion. Illusions by dreams.
With only a few more steps before he reached the parking pad, he saw Betsy get out of the passenger’s side door and walk in his direction. Avoiding eye contact would probably be in each other’s best interest.
“I’m sorry, Cain,” she said as she stepped in front of him, deliberately blocking his way. “I was way out of line.”
Reactively he raised his head to see if this was a joke of some kind. What he found was a genuinely serious look on her face. And she was close. Really, really close. In fact, they were actually face to face, since he was still a couple steps below where they’d be standing on even ground.
The effort it took to keep his mind, and other regions of his body focused attacked his senses. And his heart had jumped with nothing more than the sound of his name on her lips.
“That’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” he said.
She kept staring at him as she raised her hand to keep him from going around. “No, what I said wasn’t okay. And I own…I try to own my mistakes.” Lowering her hand, she lifted her chin and blinked. “I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
Was this what life with Betsy revolved around?
One second, she was strong and ready to take on the world.
The next, trying to make things perfect for other people.
Suddenly a rapid flash back to her in high school, and he remembered she was always trying to help the weaker ones in class even then.
Sometimes with their studies. Sometimes with being berated or embarrassed by others.
On those occasions, she’d end up chastising the bully or mean girl who’d caused the problem in the first place.
“Well, do you accept?” she asked, now rapidly blinking as her forehead wrinkled in worry-lines.
Blowing out a heavy sigh, he slowly swiped his palm down his face. “Yeah, I accept your apology. Thank you.”
“Good.” A smile spread on her lips, and she nodded. “Can we stop to eat on the way back to town? ’Cause I’m really hungry. In fact, I’m bordering on hangry.”
“Can do.”
They stood still, as if this moment in time meant more than either of them had ever dared imagine. He teasingly pulled her ski hat off and her cheeks rounded as she smiled.
“Cain, I don’t ever want to lose you as a friend.”
“You may not believe it, Betsy, but I’ve always kept you in my mind during these years apart. Always thought of you as my friend, if nothing else.”
He realized he had a lot to learn about the grown-up Betsy.
In fact, he had a lot to learn about himself, too.
Fighting to keep his mouth shut and his sarcastic comeback to himself, he closed his eyes as he braced his hand against the oak tree standing guard less than a foot away.
“Any place in particular you’d like to stop for dinner? ”
The soft touch of her fingers against his chest jerked him out of his thoughts. Opening his eyes, he found her right in front of him, on the same level ground as him. He pressed harder against the tree. Fought to control his body.
“I heard your thoughts loud and clear.” She dropped her hand to her side but continued to stare into his eyes.
“I don’t know what you mean.” He looked down into the face that had filled his dreams for the past few years.
The one he’d fallen asleep with many nights, especially those times there’d been an unpleasant end to a case.
Or just the times, for no reason at all, he’d felt as alone as the last mountain lion of his breed. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Hmmmmm. Really?” She tilted her head just enough. “Is that the best you can do?”
She glanced at his lips, and he instantly removed his hand from the protection of the sentry tree. They stood close enough that the fog from their breaths mingled in the air.
A few weeks ago, he’d made the first move back at the parking lot outside Joanie’s.
Betsy had first fallen into his kiss, then verbally set him straight about her and him.
Walked away after letting him know she was not open to them ever being a couple.
That was not the vibe he was getting now.
Maybe his instincts were off on what this meant, but he’d sure like to know for sure.
He gently reached over and pulled the scrunchie loose. Her hair spilled forward, surrounding her face in a perfect frame. She didn’t pull away, rather, she slightly leaned forward.
“I love your hair like this. Wild…and free.” Fingering back the strands of ginger red hair errantly reaching for her eyes, her mouth, he brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. “Oh, Betsy. What am I going to do with you?”
“I’m not sure.” She lightly brushed the tips of her fingers across the rim of his bottom lip.
Then walked the few steps up to the parking pad before turning to watch him watching her.
Had she always moved like that? Or only for him? Only now? He couldn’t remember. Didn’t even matter. But damn, he liked that walk. Those boots. Her eyes. Her legs. Her voice. Everything.
Struggling to stay where he stood, he could hardly breathe.
She barely smiled as she pushed her hair back from her face. “Maybe you should kiss me. What do you think?”
Without thinking he took one step, and then another, straight toward her. Then she did that little head tilt once again. Drove him crazy. He liked that, too.