Chapter Four
“I can’t imagine that the hands of that watch have moved any faster than they did the last two dozen times you checked.
” The words floated her way across the expanse of deck from where he stood in the farthest corner, methodically casting his fishing line over and over in what had become an all-consuming, mind-bending monotony, over the last three-quarters of an hour.
She had found the clothing items and the faded blue jeans and oversized denim shirt were quite a fashion statement.
NOT. The sleeves were too long and she had rolled them up as best as she could, but they had a habit of falling.
At least it gave her something to do…rolling them back up her arm.
The jeans were an inch or so big in the waist, but she found a safety pin to help with that.
Searching through some drawers in the other guest room, she found a pair of bright pink and lime-green socks.
She put them on for some protection for her bare feet.
The broken shoes were destined for the trash can when she found replacements.
To his credit, he had glanced at her entrance onto the deck earlier, noted her change, and then went back to his pursuit of a fish.
He did not say a word. That was a wise decision to her way of thinking.
She dusted off a deck chair with her hand and then settled herself into it at the opposite side of the deck.
Thankfully, she had thought to dump a couple of files of upcoming cases inside her bag before they left her office.
She took one out to read and pass the time, making her notes in the margins.
The quiet was noticeable. Erin was used to something…
some sound…always in the background. Here there was nothing but the wind in the trees above them, the sound of the casting line leaving the reel now and then, and birds calling out to each other.
Erin found herself having to read the same sentences more than once.
Her eyes kept getting heavier and heavier.
And then they stayed closed. The warmth of the sunlight filtering through the trees overhead was just enough to make the light breeze feel comfortable on her skin.
And when the folder was taken gently and placed on the table beside her, she never felt a thing.
The silence lengthened and a feeling of floating and water gently lapping on a shoreline was peaceful.
Then the sound of a car door slamming broke through the screen of silence.
Her eyes didn’t want to open to the intrusion.
Boots sounding across the decking pried one and then the other to peek out at the world.
She was alone on the deck. Hands pushed herself up straighter and sounds of a conversation came across to her.
She stood and saw the marshal take the last couple of strides before his arms went out and a woman was lifted into a tight hug, and she reacted with laughter and seemed to enjoy the reunion.
Erin’s attention was on alert. Was this person bringing news of her freedom?
Why else would someone else be here? He said no one knew they were there…
except the marshal who met them with the jeep and then left.
And just who was this woman who earned another big hug and kiss on the cheek? A girlfriend? Interesting.
Then the woman noticed her, and she waved.
That was interesting too. She didn’t seem to mind that her boyfriend was here alone with another woman?
Then she remembered her state of dress, and she couldn’t blame her for discounting her.
Not her best foot forward. And she realized she didn’t even have a best foot to put forward.
To her added surprise, the woman was headed her way, and the lawman was left to retrieve a basket from the back seat of the car.
“Hi! I’m Tori,” the woman said as she mounted the top step of the deck and came with a hand outstretched in greeting.
Her smile was warm and welcoming. “I’ll simply introduce myself because my baby brother tends to be a little slow sometimes…
like now. Hurry up, Rance. The poor girl could use those things. ”
Erin liked the self-assured greeting…no wimpy handshake. It felt natural to return the smile with one of her own.
“I’m…”
“Mary,” Rance supplied ahead of her. “Mary Williams.”
Erin was quiet for a moment. Tori wasn’t.
“Right, Mary Williams.” She winked at Erin.
“This family has a habit of many names to remember and then forget, but that is for another chat. Don’t worry, I’m the Mayor of Destiny’s River, and my lips are used to being sealed.
I brought some things you might need. I do believe I chose just about the right sizes.
And if you need anything else while you are here…
Rance knows where to find me and also what to find at Primrose House. ”
“Thank you,” Erin said, finally finding a break in the other woman’s words. “I appreciate what you’re doing. I’m hoping I won’t be here all that long.”
“Well, my brother’s made a real impression on you, then.” She shot him a big-sister look. “We really do have a wonderful town here and good people. Maybe you’ll have a chance to see some of it. Just to keep from getting cabin fever.”
“But it’s a lovely cabin,” Erin responded.
Tori grinned. “Do you know how to cook?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Don’t you have a building to condemn or a sewer issue or something to go take care of?” Rance clearly meant to hurry his sister along.
“Well, I know that Rance’s culinary skills consist of grilled cheese sandwiches with a crunchy crust, and maybe some peanut butter ones if you’re lucky. Did you practice those scrambled eggs like I showed you, little brother?”
He frowned and sat the box on the table. “I graduated to mac and cheese. We won’t starve.”
“Just as I thought,” she said with a shake of her head. “Don’t worry, I added some casseroles, veggies, and a dessert or two in the other box. Please get them.”
“You’ve gotten way too bossy after being re-elected twice now to mayor.” He mumbled other things under his breath, but he set off to retrieve the other box from the car.
“He can be a pain at times, but he is one heck of a lawman. Runs in the family genes, I guess.”
“Runs in the family?” Erin’s interest was caught and held.
“Well, I’m a mayor married to a county judge; our sister is retired from the marshal’s service; our brother, Matt, is the town sheriff; and that leaves Rance. You’re in good hands, but don’t let him know I said that.”
“Don’t let him know what? Tori, what trouble are you stirring?” He had returned with the bigger box.
Tori winked at Erin and then patted her brother’s shoulder as she headed toward the steps. “Must run now. You reach out if you need anything at all. Nice to meet you, Erin…oops, I mean Mary!”
Her laughter died only when the car door shut behind her and the engine came alive. A wave was sent their way, and she was gone.
“She’s nice. It was good of her to do all of this.”
“Right,” Rance grumbled, heading into the house with the box of food. Erin followed with the box of clothing.
“I’ll come back and get that,” Rance called over his shoulder as he headed into the kitchen.
“I’m not an invalid. I can carry boxes, open doors, and cook, too. Guess it’s up to me to handle that part of this sequestering.” She moved on through the living room with her box and sat it on the bed in her room. She called out to the man in the other room.
“I’m going to take a quick shower and find something better to wear. Then I’ll look over the grocery situation. You can put the items away in the meantime.”
“Whatever you say, Your Honor. I live to serve.” His attitude—or was it ego—was a little dinged, she guessed. That made her smile.
*
Thirty minutes later, the woman exiting the hall was different.
Rance removed his feet from the coffee table in automatic manners taught to him by his sisters.
He hit the mute button on the music that was playing…
some country ballad from a system hidden no doubt in the wall of bookcases on the far wall.
“Don’t let me interrupt your music,” she said. “I’ll just see what might look good for dinner.”
“I guess you’d prefer something else besides country. I could find a classical station maybe…”
“And you would be wrong… I realize that word might not be popular in your way of seeing things, but it is correct in this case. You’re profiling of me might need a bit of tweaking.
There is only one king of country and that will always be George.
Throw in some Patsy Cline or Reba and I wouldn’t complain.
And here is another news flash…in addition to those red-bottom shoes you ruined, I would be even more upset if you had done something to one of my cowboy boots.
Your mouth is agape, Marshal,” she finished sweetly and opened the refrigerator.
“Okay,” he admitted after a long pause of digesting her words that had taken him by surprise.
“I might be guilty as charged, but I was not privy to any discovery prior to this hearing, Your Honor. Those would be extenuating circumstances that should be considered.” He had moved to lean a shoulder against the archway separating the kitchen and dining area.
His arms folded across his chest as he watched her move about, opening first one cabinet door and then another, acquainting herself with what she had to work with.
“Throwing yourself on the mercy of this court based on your ignorance plea?” She shot him a smart look as she withdrew a knife and cutting board, placing them on the cabinet closer to him.
“Your presentencing involves how well you can chop some vegetables for a salad. Best get busy. I’m placing the casserole in the oven to heat it.
” She tossed a head of lettuce in his direction, and he had to make a quick grab for it.