Veil of Lies

by Nicky Charles

  Once he knew what was happening, he’d been amused. Each person had a supposed reason for stopping by while trying to get information from him, and their inventiveness had him chuckling…for a while. Eventually, the humour faded into annoyance and he’d been about to lock the door so as to get some peace and quiet, when Josh Kennedy from the newspaper popped in to see if Melody should be writing an article.

  “It would help stop the speculation if we ran a piece on you and the future of the bar,” Josh explained.

  “And sell more papers.” He crossed his arms.

  “That, too. But I’ve heard everything from you dying of a rare disease to you having won the lottery and are moving to a tropical island. Telling your story would mean a lot less questions for you to answer.” Josh continued to pitch his idea. “It would be front page news.”

  Considering Harley, the dog, crossing the street at the light had also made the front page of the newspaper, it wasn’t that grand an honour. He shook his head. “I don’t want to be in the paper. Not the front, the back or the middle.”

  “Hmm…”

  Sensing Josh wasn’t about to leave anytime soon, he gave an abbreviated explanation. “This is off the record but I’m considering selling and starting a new business elsewhere. There’s nothing definite. And that’s all I’m willing to say.”

  “If you do sell, could we do a feature piece? We’d entitle it ‘the end of an era’ or something like that.”

  The look on his face must have shown his patience was almost at an end for Josh beat a hasty retreat.

  “I’ll laugh about this at some point,” he muttered.

  It shows they are concerned for us, his bear pointed out.

  Or nosey. He rubbed his neck. At least in a big city, he wouldn’t have to worry about everyone knowing his business.

  Three days later…

  The hustle and bustle of the airport swirled around Lucy as she waited for Roxi to finish her shopping at the newsstand. Roxi had insisted on purchasing some magazines for Lucy to read during the flight. It was sweet of her, even though Caleb would likely ensure reading time was at a premium.

  Thinking of Caleb, she checked with one hand that his air-safety harness was in her carry-on. Flying with a baby was a lot more stressful than she’d ever imagined.

  Once Roxi returned, she’d get her friend to hold the baby while she checked in and dealt with the paperwork. Ryne had, once again, surprised her soon after the birth of her son. The same good-looking messenger who’d delivered her replacement I.D. all those months ago had turned up at her door with a package containing a passport complete with a photo of her son and note saying ‘just in case you ever want to travel’. She was sure it had been intended as a not so subtle hint to return to Stump River but, upon receiving it, she’d been more puzzled on how he’d managed to get a picture of Caleb. She really needed to get Ryne alone some day and ask him about his ‘contacts’.

  She shifted her hold on the baby, idly noticing her reflection in the polished chrome pillar beside her. It was a blurry image, which was probably good given her eyes were bloodshot and her nose pink from attacks of weeping. Leaving was just as hard as she’d thought it would be and yet she knew in her heart it was time to go home. The signs were everywhere and growing stronger each day; her dreams of Armand, her longing for the cool fresh air of the forest, the fact she no longer stood in front of the mirror each morning calling herself ‘Lou’…

  Roxi appeared beside her, interrupting her thoughts. “Okay, I have two fashion magazines, a home decorating one, a parenting one and another on food. That should keep you entertained.”

  “Thanks.” She turned so Roxi could stuff them in the outer pocket of her carry-on. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy them.”

  The task complete, Roxi held out her hands to take Caleb. “Come on, let’s get you checked in.”

  Together they walked towards the counter and she handed over her documents to the clerk. With an effort, she put her suitcase on the conveyor noting the read-out showed it was nowhere near the maximum allowed for a checked bag. Not surprising considering most of the contents were baby clothes!

  Stepping back from the counter, she went to take Caleb back from Roxi who held on tighter.

  “Nope, I’m going to hang on to this little guy until the last minute. I’ll walk with you to departures and then I’ll give him back.”

  “Okay.” Lucy smiled at her friend, tears springing to her eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Roxi.”

  “I’m going to miss you, too.” Roxi sniffed, her lower lip trembling as she stroked Caleb’s cheek. “And this little guy, what will I do without him?”

  “Look at the bright side, no diapers, no crying in the night.” She tried to sound positive despite the lump in her throat, her steps slowing as they got closer to departures.

  “I’ve decided I like crying in the night.” Roxi gave a watery smile.

  “Sort of like how I feel about your dirty dishes in the sink, right?”

  Roxi laughed, then gave Caleb one last hug and kiss before handing him over. “I know this sounds awful but I’m sort of wishing things between you and Armand don’t work out so you’ll come back.”

  Lucy blinked back tears. “And I know this sounds weird but that’s such a nice thing for you to say. It means you really are going to miss me and won’t start celebrating the minute I step on the plane.”

  “As if!” Roxi shook her head. “You’re my Lulu and no one will ever replace you.”

  She hugged Roxi again and then whispered in her ear. “I’m sure Matt would like to try though, if you’d let him.” She nodded towards the man standing a few feet away. He’d been trailing behind them, trying to act as if he wasn’t surrounded by teary women.

  Roxi glanced at him and Lucy noticed a look pass over the girl’s face. Roxi was falling in love with the guy, she was sure of it.

  “We’ll see.” Roxi turned back to her. “Be sure to use that international calling card I gave you and let me know how things are going.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  “And…I guess I really do want you and Armand to be happy together, so I’ll say good luck as long as you promise to come back and visit.”

  “Or maybe you can come visit me in Canada.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  After one final hug, they parted. Roxi went to stand by Matt who put an arm around her shoulders. Lucy took a deep breath and headed towards what she hoped was her future.

  Chapter 34

  Armand shook Ryne’s hand. “I will miss you, my friend.”

  “Same here.” Ryne nodded. “Don’t worry about the bar, we’ll watch it for you until it sells, and Melody wants to do some shopping in the city so we’ll pick up your truck at the airport. I’ll store it at my place.”

  “Thanks. I’ll likely be back in a month or so. There are things I’ll want with me once I’m settled.” He glanced at his ‘the bar opens at five’ clock and then considered his paintings stuffed in the back of his closet. As far as he knew, Lucy had minimal storage so he was bringing only the essentials with him until they found a bigger place.

  “What did Lucy say when you told her you were moving to Chicago?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Is that a bad sign?” Ryne quirked a brow.

  “No.” He gave a crooked grin. “It means I didn’t tell her.”

  “Going to catch her by surprise?”

  “That’s my plan. She’ll have no time to think of excuses.”

  Ryne laughed. “I wish you well. Keep me posted.”

  Armand picked up his bag and tossed it into his truck then climbed inside. For a moment he sat there, hands gripping the steering wheel. When he’d arrived in Stump River many years ago, he was sure he’d found his perfect home. In fact, he had, but sometimes love required compromises. Now he had a new vision of perfection and it was wherever Lucy and Caleb were. The months they’d spent apart had made that clear to him.

  Taking a deep
breath, he put the key in the ignition and set out on his journey. He was lucky to have been able to get a last-minute seat on a flight from Timmins, rather than driving to Toronto. It would cost more but having made his decision, he didn’t want to waste hours on the highway.

  He drove through the town, giving a casual wave to Ben Miller who was pumping gas into a car. No one knew he was leaving today, well, apart from Ryne and his pack, and Jenna who had noticed his suitcase sitting near the rear door. The explanation he’d given her had been almost the truth—a business trip to determine the future of the bar. She’d nodded and wished him well, explaining she, too, was leaving town that day and she’d stopped in to say goodbye.

  Once again, he’d had the briefest sense that there was something off about her but since she was leaving and he was preparing to go as well, he’d not pursued it. It was time to cut his ties to Stump River.

  It was a shame he was going to be missing the fishing derby and craft fair that was scheduled for the weekend…or maybe not. Already the town was filling up. There were cars parked the length of the main street and unfamiliar faces could be seen in the various businesses. His spare rooms above the bar were all booked and the Kennedys said their cabins were rented out as well. It promised to be a successful weekend.

  With too many people around, his bear grumbled.

  But not as many as there will be in Chicago, he pointed out.

  The animal sighed and curled up for a nap, resigned to their fate.

  The drive passed uneventfully. He hummed along with the radio, steering the car around the usual ruts and potholes that comprised the road from Stump River and then relaxing when he hit the main highway. His plan was to get to Timmins as quickly as possible, find something to eat and then look for a store so he could buy a small present for Caleb that said ‘Canada’ on it.

  Truth be told, he was nervous about meeting the child. He liked babies but knew nothing about caring for them. How to feed them or lull them to sleep or change their diapers. His research on the internet had been informative, however actually performing the tasks would be an entirely different thing. Babies were small and his hands were large. How would he ever manage miniscule buttons and snaps?

  Maybe he and Lucy could trade off the various duties. He would handle washing diapers and she could trim tiny toenails.

  To take his mind off that particular problem, he examined an even bigger one. When to tell Lucy what he was. It wouldn’t be right away but at some point, he’d have to broach the subject. Maybe if he searched on Ryne’s Lycan Link he could find some tips on the subject or even a help forum. He snorted at the idea and turned the radio up louder hoping to drown out the concerns that swirled through his head.

  Lucy gripped the steering wheel as she made her way down the road towards Stump River. The last time she’d travelled this way, she hadn’t noticed what poor condition it was in. Carefully, she manoeuvred around a large pothole, then glanced in the rear-view mirror. Caleb was sleeping soundly in the car seat she’d rented along with the car, bless him, no doubt worn out from entertaining everyone on the plane. If he’d been fussy or hungry right now, it would have been even more difficult to concentrate on driving, a task she hadn’t done since leaving for Chicago with Mel.

  She checked a mileage sign and calculated she’d be in town around five o’clock. It wasn’t the best time. Armand would be working in the bar and she didn’t want an audience for their reunion, plus the Broken Antler was no place for a baby. She could call Armand from the parking lot, say something cute like ‘look outside and see who is here’ but that didn’t feel right either.

  Instead, she planned on enlisting Ryne’s help. She’d call him when she got to town, sure he’d know of a way to lure Armand away from the bar. It should be somewhere private; even though she looked different with glasses, a scar and her hair its natural colour, it was too much to expect no one would eventually recognize her. She definitely wanted to make things right with Armand before dealing with that problem.

  A sign announcing Stump River came into view and she slowed the vehicle, tears pricking her eyes. She hadn’t expected that and dashed them away, taking deep calming breaths. There were so many memories wrapped up in the place.

  Just outside of town there was a little cemetery and she pulled over to stare at it. Her mother was buried there. If Caleb hadn’t been in the car, she’d have gotten out and walked over to the gravesite to pay her respects, but that would have to wait until later. Instead, she peered out the window and squinted her eyes, finally making out the marker. It was at the edge of the cemetery near a grove of trees.

  It was surprisingly well-tended, the grass neatly trimmed around the base, the same for the stone beside it. With a shiver, she realized it was hers. It gave her a queer feeling to see her old name, Lucy Chalmers, carved in marble, to think that very well could have been her buried there. Fate had been kind to her.

  Taking a deep breath, she donned a pair of sunglasses knowing a strange car would draw some attention and she wanted to stay under the radar as long as possible. She flipped the sun-visor down as well just to be sure, then pulled back on to the road and headed into town.

  It was busier than she remembered, cars lining the street and people filling the sidewalks. The buildings were the same though. She passed the medical clinic and then Ruth’s Diner. Next came the church with its modest spire and pioneer graveyard that contained the remains of the founding fathers. The newspaper was on the other side of the road as was Miller’s garage and then the Broken Antler…with a for sale sign on it!

  She almost slammed on the brakes to stare, barely having enough presence of mind to pull over to the curb. What was going on? Why would Armand sell the bar? He loved that place!

  Her hands shaking, she took out her phone and called Ryne. As soon as he answered, she started talking.

  “Ryne, what’s going on?”

  “Lucy? What do you mean? What’s wrong?”

  “Why the hell is the Broken Antler for sale?”

  “Why is the…?” He paused. “How do you know about that?”

  “Because I’m sitting across the road from it and there’s a gigantic sign on it!” The sign probably wasn’t that big, but at the moment it certainly seemed that way.

  “Sitting across the road? You’re in Stump River?”

  “Of course, I’m here. How else would I be across the road from the bar? I wanted to surprise Armand.”

  “Well shit.”

  She shifted in her seat, sensing everything was not as it should be. “What’s wrong?”

  “This is complicated.” His sigh sounded in her ear. “Armand isn’t there. He’s on his way to Chicago. To see you.”

  “Oh no.” All her imaginings of a reunion with Armand evaporated into thin air and she slumped back in the seat. Tired from hours of travelling, she felt tears threaten and tried to hold them back. Caleb, possibly sensing her distress, had no such reservations and began to whimper in the back seat.

  “Is that the baby I hear?” Ryne questioned. “You have Caleb with you?”

  She nodded, realized he couldn’t see her and cleared her throat. “Yes. Oh damn, now what am I going to do?”

  “Let me think…”

  There was a pause and she could picture him scowling, brows drawn together, eyes narrowed while he ran a hand through his dark hair.

  “Okay, listen up. The town’s bursting at the seams due to the fishing derby and craft show but you can stay at my place. Do you remember where it is?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Good. I want you to go there. I’ll have Melody meet you at the front gate—”

  “Melody? Does she know about me? Still being alive, I mean?”

  “Yep, no worries there. You can spend the night with us and in the meantime, I’ll try to get hold of Armand. I don’t think he’ll be on the plane yet.”

  “Really?” Her spirits perked. “Oh, thanks so much Ryne! I really appreciate this.”

  “It�
��s okay.”

  She winced. The tone of his voice didn’t exactly match his words.

  Ryne ended his call with Lucy and then immediately called his mate to warn her of their unexpected guests. Of course, Melody was ecstatic at the thought of seeing Lucy again; and having a baby in the house quite suited her as she’d been making noises that it was time they expanded their family again. Given that Grace was in her terrible twos, he had his reservations, but the activities involved in trying to make a baby certainly helped.

  Next, he called Armand, checking the battered clock that hung on the wall in the repair shop at Miller’s. Armand’s flight was due to leave soon, if he remembered correctly. Hopefully he wasn’t already in the air. If he was, it would be hours before he’d get a flight back.

  Damn, what a mess. He hoped to hell those two could get their relationship sorted out. He wasn’t made to play cupid or whatever you called what he was doing.

  Armand’s phone rang several times before he answered.

  “Ryne? What’s wrong?”

  “Are you boarding yet?”

  “No, it’s been delayed by a few hours. I’m at a fast food joint nearby.”

  “Good. Don’t get on that plane. I need your ass back in Stump River.”

  “Why?”

  He rubbed his neck debating if he should say Lucy was here or not. It seemed she’d been hoping for a surprise reunion but unless he spilled the beans, he doubted anything else would keep Armand off that plane.”

  “Ryne? You still there?”

  “Yeah, listen.” He took a deep breath. “Lucy’s here. In Stump River. With the baby.”

  Armand muttered several curses in French before replying. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.” The call ended abruptly and Ryne imagined the Ursa striding across the parking lot towards his truck, chin jutted and eyes blazing as people quickly stepped out of his way.

  About to go back to work, the sound of a plane overhead had him looking up. Probably another float plane with a fishing crew from the more northerly areas. The nearby lake had transformed into a temporary airport and the locals were acting as taxi drivers, many even renting out spare rooms to fishermen who didn’t want to camp out. The town had never been this busy and the merchants were already talking about holding the event again next year. Even Ben Miller was pleased about all the gas that had been sold and the potholes on the road into town had resulted in several cars needing repair work as well. Which reminded him…