High Country Cop

by Cynthia Thomason

  “It’s my decision,” Cora said. “Has been all along. If you think somebody forced me into helping Gladys, you’re wrong.”

  Carter drummed his fingers on the table. “Mom, you should have told us. We would have helped you. You were going through a difficult time. Daddy died. You had to deal with discovering his infidelity. You took this woman’s word that Robert is Daddy’s son.”

  “You must think I’m three times a fool,” Cora said. “I didn’t take anyone’s word for anything. I wasn’t married to Raymond Cahill all those years without learning a thing or two about trusting people. I had a DNA test done.” She snorted. “Robert, that poor soul, is your daddy’s offspring. No doubt about it.”

  “Mama, don’t be angry with us,” Ava said. “We just want to know how you were coerced into paying Gladys every month.”

  “I wasn’t coerced,” Cora said. “Your father had been paying that amount to Gladys for years. He couldn’t deny that Robert was his responsibility, so he paid for the support. Lord knows, Gladys can’t go out and get a job like most folks. Who’d take care of her son then?”

  “But Robert was Dad’s responsibility,” Carter pointed out. “I understand that you’re just trying to be decent about this, but I think we can adjust the money you’re giving her...”

  “Stop it, Carter. I’m doing the right thing,” Cora said. “I was married to Raymond for thirty-five years. My debt was his, and his were mine.” Her gray eyes sparked with determination. “Don’t you remember a couple of years back when the tree farm had a bug infestation? Your daddy covered the loss even though his name wasn’t on the deed to that property. That’s what married people do.

  “I’m not saying your daddy and I had a perfect marriage, far from it, but he was doing right by Gladys and her boy, and I’m not about to leave them without means of support now just because I’m signing the checks instead of Raymond.”

  “But how long can you go on like this?” Ava asked.

  “Until the well runs dry, I suppose.”

  “But Mama, you’re giving up everything, letting the house go...”

  “It’s just a house, Ava. Timber and bricks. It’ll stand a long time yet even if it doesn’t look so pretty. That woman needs help now.”

  Ava placed her hands over her face and expelled a long breath into her palms. “Mama, when I start my new position with the children’s home, maybe I can suggest an answer to this problem. There are files and references there about places that might be able to help Robert. Maybe we can find a resource to take the financial burden off you.”

  “I’ve already looked into it, Ava. Gladys gets help two mornings a week from a county worker who knows how to treat Robert. And any attempt to put Robert into a public school has been met with nothing but disaster.” She shook her head. “He’s your father’s son and your half brother. We owe for that. Gladys loves the boy. She knows she’s the best one to care for him.” Cora straightened her spine. “I admire her for that. There may come a day, later, when Robert will have to go into some kind of care facility. When that happens, when he’s of age, my responsibility will end. But for now...”

  Carter knew his mother, and he wondered if she would ever believe that her responsibility to Robert was over.

  “If you don’t mind my asking,” Ava said, “where’s the money coming from that you’re giving Gladys? It’s fifteen hundred a month.”

  Cora’s expression remained obstinate, and Carter thought she might not answer the question.

  “I take it out of my profit shares from the paper mill. As long as Rudy keeps the plant running, I’ll be okay. And just so you know, I’ve got a little put away for my own old age. And soon I’ll get your daddy’s Social Security money. Things will ease up then.”

  Ava rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. “Mama, it seems to me that you should be getting more than fifteen hundred a month from the mill.”

  “I get what I get,” Cora said. “Things at the plant haven’t been so great since your daddy died.”

  Ava’s eyes clouded with concern, or perhaps it was suspicion. At any rate, Carter figured that she wasn’t going to accept that explanation without checking further.

  Cora stood. “I’ve got potato salad to make, so this conversation is over...”

  “Hi, Miss Cora!” Emily raced into the kitchen. She stopped long enough to greet Carter and Ava, and then related all the news of her afternoon. “We went to church and talked to the minister. Law was there, and he’s going to fix the playground equipment. And Mom says her work is done.” Emily’s smile faded. “I don’t like that part.”

  “Where is your mother?” Carter asked.

  “She went up to our room. She needs an aspirin or something.”

  Carter left the kitchen and headed for the stairs. His day was far from over.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CARTER DIDN’T EVEN KNOCK. He ignored the little voice in his head that told him to calm down, take a breath. He opened the door to the room Miranda and Emily were using—his room—and walked inside. Miranda stood next to the window. She still wore the clothes she’d had on for the church visit this morning—a long skirt and a soft white cotton blouse. The sunlight streaming through the window created golden halos of her hair. When she turned to look at him, she took his breath away.

  “What’s wrong?” she said. “Is it Emily?”

  “Emily’s fine. And you know darn well what’s wrong.” He regretted his tone immediately. Miranda’s eyes were moist. She’d been crying.

  “No, Carter, I don’t,” she said.

  How was he to tell her what was wrong when he couldn’t explain it to himself? I’m a coward. I’m afraid of losing you again. I’m afraid of my life falling apart for a third time. I want you to stay, but yet, I don’t. I know you should go. Of all the emotions warring inside him, he finally took a deep breath and said, “You were going to leave without saying goodbye.”

  She clenched her hands at her waist. “I would have said goodbye if I’d run into you. At the very least I would have called to thank you again for all you’ve done for Lawton. And for me.”

  Great. She would have called him. Well, so long, Carter. Thanks again.

  She blinked hard. “The truth is, I just decided this morning that it was time for Em and me to go.”

  He didn’t say anything. Just stood there mute and let her words wash over him. A stupid phone call maybe... The past and the present became one to Carter for a heart-stopping moment. I never meant to hurt you. I have to go... She was his Miranda. But she’d broken his heart fourteen years ago and was about to do it again. She was leaving...again. But he hadn’t given her a reason to stay.

  She took a step closer to him. “Are you all right? You look pale.”

  And you can’t even see the pain deep inside, the part of me that is hidden well below my skin. “Stay awhile longer, Miranda,” he said. “Don’t go on Wednesday. What difference will a few days make?” They were his words. He’d said them, and his mouth felt desert dry. If he said anything else, he was certain the words would crack coming from his lips and fall like dust to the floor. What was he offering her? A few more days of back-and-forth? Loving her and yet being afraid enough to let her go?

  “That’s just it,” she said. “A few days won’t make much difference, Carter. I will still be the girl who left you, the girl who married Donny. And nothing will change. I’ll still be a package deal. Me and Em, and Donny is her father. And to tell the truth, Carter, every time you look at her you see Donny.”

  “That could change. I’m starting to get over it.”

  She smiled. “Maybe a bit, but it’s not good enough. Emily deserves the best from you, and I know you have it to give. You’re a good man, Carter, but maybe you’d have to be a saint to forget how messed up our history is. You don’t want me. You don’t trust me. And I can’t offer you any guarantees.
Life happens, and if I stayed a few days or a few years, there are no guarantees that happiness will follow us into the future.”

  She sighed, ran her fingers through her loose hair. “I admit there were times in the last few weeks that I thought... I hoped... But you were right not to encourage me. And now that I’m seeing everything more clearly, I’m right to take my daughter and go.”

  He walked to her and cradled her hands in his. “I’ve been a fool not to admit what your coming here has meant to me, Miranda. But I can’t let my fear determine my life. I want to give this a chance. Stay awhile. Just awhile.” His thumbs lightly caressed her knuckles. “It’s too soon for us to give up. Let’s see if this could work.”

  She stared at their joined hands. “Maybe now I’m the one who can’t risk a broken heart, Carter. And the only way to do that is to leave.”

  He raised his hands and settled them on each side of her face. He kissed her, a soft, gentle press of his lips. “I will always care about you, Miranda. I’ve never stopped.”

  She smiled again, and he tried to trap the memory of her beautiful face in his heart. “I...” she paused. “I care for you, too. But that’s not enough, is it?”

  He kissed her forehead before returning to her soft lips and kissing her with all the frustration and desire warring in his soul. Why couldn’t he take her in his arms and just admit he loved her?

  “Mama’s making dinner,” he said. “If this is the way it’s going to be, then it’s best that I don’t stay.”

  He left the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. He didn’t know when he would be able to enter that room again without thinking of what he’d lost.

  * * *

  “DOES LAWTON KNOW we’re coming, Mom?” Emily watched out the window on Tuesday evening as Miranda turned onto Liggett Mountain Road.

  “Yes. I called his cell phone and told him we wanted to stop by tonight.”

  “Did you tell him we’re leaving tomorrow?”

  “No. I’ll wait until we’re there to tell him that.” Miranda paused to see if Emily would once again express her regret at leaving. She merely sighed. “I want to thank you for all your help packing today, Em,” Miranda said. “All that’s left now is to throw in our jammies and jump in the car.”

  “You’re welcome.” The words had the same enthusiasm as if Emily had said, “I’m ready to go to the gallows now.”

  Miranda pulled into the gravel space that marked Mr. McNulty’s cabin. Lawton’s old Dodge sat in the narrow one-car lot, so Miranda drove around to the side of the cabin and parked. Emily got out and ran to the front door.

  “Hey there, pretty girl,” Lawton said from his door.

  “Mom brought chicken wings, Lawton,” Emily said. “And french fries.”

  “That sounds mighty good,” Law said, waving at Miranda, who approached with a restaurant carry-out bag. “You didn’t have to do that, peanut,” he said. “I could have offered y’all salami sandwiches.”

  “Want me to throw out these wings, then?” she teased.

  “Not on your life.” He moved aside so the ladies could come in. He had on a nice pair of jeans and a plaid shirt that made him look as respectable as any citizen of Holly River. He’d gained weight, and working in the outdoors at the tree farm had brought color to his cheeks. His journey back was almost complete.

  Miranda hadn’t been in the cabin since she’d added a few cozy touches to it. She was pleased to see that the living room was tidy, the floors free of dust. Each time she witnessed Lawton taking pride in himself was like a salve to her heart.

  “What brings you out here?” Lawton asked. “Not that I’m complaining, you understand. Haven’t had any visitors yet.”

  “I’m hoping that will change, Law.” Miranda sat on the sofa. “I hope you’ll make friends with the volunteers at the playground this Saturday.”

  “That would be a welcome change around here,” he said.

  “As for why we’ve come tonight, Emily and I are here to tell you goodbye.”

  “What? You’re not leaving?”

  “You know our stay was only temporary,” Miranda explained. “You’re doing well now. I’m so proud of you. You’ve come a long way since that first day I saw you up the mountain when you were living with Dale.”

  Lawton nodded. “Still I hate to see you go, ’Randa. I feel almost as close to you as when we were kids. You’ve seen me through every step. Wish there was some way I could thank you.”

  “You’ll thank me every day you move forward in your journey, Law. That’s all the thanks I’ll ever need.”

  “When are you going?”

  Miranda swallowed. “Tomorrow. Em and I are driving back to Durham in the morning. But I’ll call you, every week or more often if you need to talk to me. And you can come to Durham and visit.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “I don’t want to go,” Emily said from a rocking chair where she’d settled.

  Lawton smiled. “You kind of like the mountains now, eh?”

  “I do. Mom doesn’t even know when we’ll come back again. Maybe when I’m older I can come and visit you, Lawton.”

  “That’d be fine with me,” Lawton said. “Would you gals like some lemonade?”

  Emily jumped up from the rocker. “I’ll get it!” She darted into the kitchen just as the sound of a car engine interrupted the peace of the evening.

  “Who could that be?” Lawton went to the window and looked out. “It’s Dale,” he said, his shoulders stiffening and his voice dropping.

  Inside Miranda’s head an alarm warned her of danger. She reached her hand inside her purse and found her cell phone. “Did you know he was coming?”

  “No. I know he’s been hiding out somewhere, avoiding the cops. He slipped through Carter’s fingers since Sheila and Allie were arrested. But my cabin is the last place I figured he’d come. He’s never been here before, but I expect he knows he’s in a heap of trouble, now that the stolen goods have been found.”

  Miranda took her phone out and palmed it. “You mean the garden equipment Carter has been tracking down?”

  “Yeah. He found it yesterday.”

  She squeezed the phone more tightly in her hand. “Did you have anything to do with Carter finding that stuff, Law?”

  He gave her a hard stare and hunched his shoulders.

  “Oh, I see.” She backed up to the kitchen door, opened it a crack and tossed the phone inside to Emily, just as Dale rushed into the cabin. “Run to the woods, Em,” she said in a whisper. “Call Carter.” One glance showed her that Emily hadn’t moved. “Go now!” Emily picked up the phone and darted out the back.

  “Well, well,” Dale said, eyeing his brother and cousin. Miranda couldn’t take her eyes off the pistol cradled in the palm of his hand.

  “If it isn’t the ex-con and the do-gooder,” Dale said with contempt. “I’d only expected to find one of you, but it looks like I got a bonus.”

  “What are you doing with the gun, Dale?” Lawton said. “Put it down.”

  Dale flexed his hand on the butt of the pistol. Miranda noted that his white T-shirt was covered in grass stains above his hip-hugging jeans. His ball cap was backward on his head, barely keeping long strands of hair from obstructing his vision. She decided Lawton was right. Dale had been hiding out in the brush where Carter couldn’t find him.

  “I thought I might do some hunting, little brother,” Dale said “And lucky for me I found just what I was looking for. I might need a little help from you, though, in the next couple days.”

  “You’re not gonna shoot me, Dale,” Lawton said.

  “You think not? It’d be what you deserve, Lawton,” Dale answered. “But first we’re going to have a little talk.” He waved the pistol at Miranda. “You sit down, cousin, and have a listen, because I have a hunch you deserve a big portion of the
blame in this deal. Everything would have worked out just fine if you hadn’t showed up.”

  “That’s not true, Dale,” she said. “Lawton is a different man from the kid brother you influenced all your life. He wouldn’t have helped you in any of your get-rich-quick schemes.”

  Dale stared at her until she was forced to close her eyes for a moment to block his menacing expression. “I believe I told you to sit, Miranda.”

  She went to the sofa and clasped her hands to keep them from shaking. She glanced at the kitchen door and prayed that Emily had run far and fast.

  * * *

  BETSY HAD STAYED at the station an hour later than usual to finish up with some filing. She grabbed her purse and sweater and was just about to turn the phones over to the night service when a call came through.

  “Holly River Police,” she answered.

  “This is county dispatch. I’ve got someone on the line who called 911 with an emergency. Sounds like a child. She insists on speaking to Chief Cahill.”

  “He’s out on patrol,” Betsy said. “You don’t think this is a crank call, do you?”

  “Sounds serious to me,” the dispatcher said.

  “I’ll put you through to the chief.” A moment later, Betsy said, “Hold, Carter, for a 911 call. Person only wants to talk to you.”

  Betsy put her things back in her drawer and settled in for a while. She had to know what was going on and if she could be of any assistance. “Hope nothing’s wrong with a young’un,” she said and straightened her desk.

  * * *

  CARTER CONNECTED HIS radio to the incoming call. “This is Chief Cahill.”

  “Carter, it’s...” The small voice began to crack. “It’s me, Emily.”

  Carter felt the blood rush from his head. He gripped the radio. “What’s wrong, Emily? Where are you?”

  “We’re at cousin Lawton’s, but there’s trouble...” She took a deep breath and tried to talk through her sobs.