The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  “I wish there was. She’s trying to deal with the grief of losing Nick and the hope that we’ll find her son. He was with Nick that morning, but there’s still no sign of him.” Von swallowed his own grief and shook Cody’s hand again. “Thanks. Every friend helps at a time like this.”

  Chapter Six

  Before they’d left for the church this morning, Kasey had picked out three of Nick’s ball caps to save from the hundreds he owned. Von had suggested that they put the rest in two small troughs on either side of the front door for folks to take when they came later that day if they wanted them. Kasey had liked that idea. She couldn’t bear to throw the hats away.

  The limo pulled into the driveway. Kasey flattened her sweating palms on her dress. Friends, family and acquaintances had already gathered at her house and spilled out onto the front lawn.

  Kasey’s heart fluttered. Most everyone milling about already had one of Von’s hats in hand, and some of the men had them in their back pockets. Others folded them like a taco to get the curve on the bill just right. Nick had always done that, too. They clung to the caps, a connection to Nick.

  Kasey walked from the limo to the front porch and stopped to look at the whiteboard Von had hung on the wall there. On it he had listed the chores required to keep Circle R Farm running for the next three months. The board was nearly filled with the names of neighbors, family and friends who had volunteered to help operate the farm.

  “Thank you,” Kasey said to no one in particular, overcome by the generosity and outreach of their friends. She was relieved that people with ranching and farm experience would keep Nick’s dream alive over the next few months.

  Kasey blew out a breath as she, Riley and Von entered the house. “What would I have done without you and Von? There is no way I could have—”

  Riley stopped her. “Nick and Von were like brothers. Best friends, just like us. We love you, Kasey. My heart is breaking. I’d do anything to make this better for you. I just don’t know what to say. What can I do?”

  “Just be here with me.”

  They held hands. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” Riley said.

  Together they braved the endless stream of people, sharing their personal memories of Nick.

  Nick as a 4-H leader…

  Nick as a dad…

  Nick as a farmer and rancher…

  Nick as a veterinarian…

  Nick as a guitar player…

  Nick as the best darn barbequer around…

  Nick as one hell of a hunter…

  Nick, who always lived every moment to the fullest…

  Nick, the ladies’ man before he’d met her…

  Nick as a steady friend who had never let anyone down…

  Nick.

  “We are going to miss him.”

  Kasey flinched. Each kind remark seemed pierce her heart a little deeper. Nick. I miss you so much.

  The events of the day were catching up to her. Her lips quivered, making it hard to smile. She really wanted to just be left alone.

  Nodding continuously, she repeated, “Yes, he was a wonderful man. Thank you.”

  No one mentioned Jake.

  It was too painful for anyone to even say his name. Most of them believed that he’d been swept away in the currents that day. She’d heard the whispers, but she knew better. Jake was out there, and he was wishing for her as hard as she was wishing to find him. She felt it in her heart and soul.

  Someone brushed her elbow. Startled, she spun around.

  “Jeremy. Sorry, I was off...somewhere.” She reached up and hugged him. “Thank you for being here.”

  “It wasn’t his time.” Jeremy whispered into her hair as he held her. He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets with his shoulders slumped. “I’m here for you. Remember that.”

  She swallowed back the familiar pain. The last time she’d been at a funeral was when Granddaddy had died. That’s when she’d met Jeremy. At the time she’d thought that was the worst day of her life, but it didn’t even come in a close second to today.

  Jeremy had been Granddaddy’s trusted mechanic back then. A big deal, because Granddaddy wouldn’t let just anyone touch his precious collection of antique cars.

  “Where’s Grem?” Kasey scanned the room, looking for Grandma Emily.

  “She’s in the front room holding court, wondering where you are. You know how she has to be the center of attention,” Jeremy said with a smirk.

  “She was never this bad when Granddaddy was alive.” Even when Kasey had lived at the estate, Grem was more than Kasey could juggle without help. Grem ran off good help in record time. Granddaddy had provisioned for Jeremy to maintain his car collection following his death.

  Kasey had become desperate after Grem ran off yet another companion. The local service was running out of candidates that specialized in elderly care to send her way. So Kasey sweetened the deal for Jeremy by offering him a live-in situation—complete with full use of the temperature-controlled garage bays on the back of the estate to work on his own antique car projects. In exchange, he’d tote Grandma Emily around and keep things in check on the property. Jeremy had jumped at the chance. He doted on Grandma like Granddaddy used to. Grem adored him.

  Jeremy was like one of the family now, and his striking dark hair and blue eyes left many thinking he was related because he looked so much like Granddaddy. Probably one of the reasons Grem loves having him around.

  “You ready to see the queen?” Jeremy asked, extending his arm.

  Kasey managed a grin and took his arm. Grem sat in her wheelchair, next to the fireplace. Kasey crossed the room and hugged her.

  Grem held Kasey’s arm. “The carriage house is ready, but you should stay up at the house with me for a while, dear. You know, until you feel better.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll be fine here.”

  Grem scowled.

  Kasey stepped back. What was that for?

  Jeremy must have sensed the mood, too, because he whisked Grandma Emily off to the side of the small group, turning her back to most of the folks, and whispered something to her.

  Grem scowled. She slapped at the wheelchair but Jeremy kept pushing. “What are you doing? For goodness sakes.” She twisted around toward Kasey. “Honey, this is no place for a lady to mourn.” The old woman’s lips pinched. Her too-red lipstick spidered among her wrinkles.

  Kasey moved to her grandmother’s side and knelt down. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is.”

  Grem looked into Kasey’s eyes. “Everything happens for a reason, my dear. Leave this hillbilly farm behind. Live your own dreams now.”

  Was this supposed to be a pep talk? The words hit Kasey like a slap. “Stop it, please.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “I’m sure you mean well, but this isn’t helping.” Suppressing her emotions, she stood and walked to the window. It wouldn’t do any good to get upset with Grem.

  Jeremy pushed the wheelchair next to Kasey. “She insisted,” he mouthed, then shrugged, set the brake and headed for the door, probably for a cigarette.

  Grem grasped Kasey’s wrist with her cold bony hand. “Honey, you know I’m right. You’re young. Your life is not over.” She patted Kasey’s arm.

  “The dreams, the country, they were our dreams. Nick’s and mine. I have absolutely no intention of leaving here. This is our home.”

  The truth was that this place was heartbreak at every turn, but she wouldn’t admit that to Grem. Mixed feelings surged through her. One minute she wanted to embrace everything that Jake and Nick had ever touched. Then, a moment later, she wanted to hit the damn road, leave it all behind, and pretend this part of her life had never happened.

  Riley stepped between them. “Beautiful service wasn’t it, Miss Emily?”

  “It was nice.” Grem cleared her throat. “Kasey, darling, the photo of Nick and Jake at the service was lovely.”

  “Thank you,” Kasey said, her voice tight. Sometimes it’s so hard
to be nice to her.

  She reached for her copy of that photograph on the mantel. Nick and Jake both wore jeans and cowboy hats. The candid shot had captured them so well.

  She remembered that day like yesterday. They’d gone to get ice cream at the Pungo Strawberry Festival when something photo-worthy caught her attention. Nick had turned to find her straggling behind—something that happened all the time.

  “Where’s Mommy? Crazy Mommy is clicking again.” Nick had teased.

  Jake had reached in her direction and yelled, “Click me, Mommy. Click me!”

  And she had. As both her boys had reached toward her, calling her name.

  That one moment. So special.

  A lucky shot.

  Tiny details in the image were the most special to her. The folded ball cap in Nick’s back pocket and the scrape on Jake’s elbow. Jake had insisted on trying to take one of the goats for a walk; but the goat had other ideas and was faster than Jake. He’d fallen. But that didn’t slow him down. Jake jumped up, dusted himself off and finished the walk—bloody elbow and all. He’d never even shed a tear.

  Grem’s voice carried from a nearby group. “Kasey is my granddaughter. She is quite talented.”

  Come on, God. Give me a break here. Kasey walked over to her. “Grem, this isn’t the time.”

  She shook her head. “Nonsense, dear. They love to hear about your work.”

  Grem continued on, telling them that Kasey would be moving home with her.

  Kasey clenched her teeth.

  The stunning old woman drew a crowd. She looked so sweet, vulnerable, until you got right up close and her fangs started to show.

  Riley took control of the wheelchair. “Come on, Grandma. Jeremy is going to take you home.” She wheeled her directly to the front door and out onto the porch. “I’m sure this has been a tough day for you.”

  “Oh.” Grem looked taken aback. “Oh, yes. You’re so right. You are such a doll, Riley. Yes. I should get back home. The excitement is not good for someone my age.”

  “There he is now.” Riley gave Jeremy the don’t-ask-questions-just-get-her-the-hell-out-of -here look. “Can you take her home?”

  “Thank you, dear.” Grem patted Riley’s arm.

  Jeremy helped her into the Mercedes and closed the door. “I don’t know what gets into the old bird sometimes.”

  Riley rolled her eyes and shrugged.

  Jeremy said, “I didn’t get to say much to Kasey. Do they have any leads yet?”

  “No. Not a one, but Von is keeping tabs on the investigation for us.”

  “Yeah. That’s good. Will you call me if they hear anything, and if I can help?” Jeremy untwisted the wrapper on a butterscotch candy and popped it in his mouth. He dug in his pocket and handed two to Riley. “Here. Give one to Kasey to remind her I’m just a phone call away. Keep me posted, will you?”

  “I will.”

  Grem tooted the horn, and they both jumped.

  “Never a dull moment,” Riley said.

  Jeremy hugged her, then jogged around to the driver’s side of the car.

  Riley held the butterscotch candies in her hand with her thumb as she waved goodbye. When they cleared the driveway, she went back inside.

  “Is she gone?” Kasey asked as Riley came toward her.

  “Mission accomplished.” Riley handed Kasey the yellow wrapped butterscotch.

  “Jeremy.” Kasey took the candy and cracked a slight smile. “He’s such a sweetheart.”

  “Yeah. He’s taking her home. The cranky old bat. I can’t believe he hasn’t quit after all these years.”

  Kasey shrugged. “He’s used to her moods. He earns every penny he makes, that’s for sure.”

  A few hours later, the house finally began to empty.

  Riley busied herself in the kitchen with a couple of neighbors. They must have opened and closed the freezer door twenty times as they stored away the food. So much food.

  * * * *

  The week after the funeral, the police in Southampton County contacted Kasey about the tape from Penny’s Candy and Soda Shoppe. Finally, they had dated proof positive that Jake had been with Nick just moments before the crash.

  The news made for a restless night for Kasey, but at least maybe now the police would keep looking for Jake. She’d been worried that they might give up. The combination of renewed hope and fear tugged at her. Even her dreams taunted her, twisting joyful reunions with tragic replays of the funeral. And all of the dreams ended in the woods. She opened her eyes to the sun streaming through a sliver of an opening between the curtains. Were the dreams a sign? Was there something in the woods that would help her find Jake? She’d heard of stranger ways of solving cases.

  Dutch laid next to the bed. Kasey swung her feet around to the edge and sat up. She rubbed her feet on his soft coat. “Quiet, isn’t it, buddy?”

  She rolled her shoulders and rubbed her feet on Dutch’s back. He groaned.

  “Feel good?”

  No more back rubs in my future. I’ll miss your back rubs, Nick. You gave the best.

  Kasey got up, put on jeans, hiking boots, and one of Nick’s rodeo t-shirts. In a moment of clarity, she’d decided to go back to the crash site and see if anything came to her that might help her find Jake. Crazier things happened all the time—she had nothing to lose.

  She went downstairs and left a note on the counter in case Riley came by.

  An hour and a half later, Kasey pulled her car off on the soft shoulder near the accident site. She put her business card on the dash of her car in hopes it would be enough to keep anyone from towing it while she explored.

  She stepped over the shiny new guardrail and followed the path of scarred trees that marked the path Nick’s truck had taken down the embankment. The incline was steeper than it looked. She sidestepped her way down to the water’s edge. Debris marked the high water line left from the storm.

  If Jake had somehow climbed ashore, where would he have headed?

  She squatted. From this level, Jake’s level, she couldn’t see the road.

  He could’ve made it to shore if the water had been as low as it was today. She stepped out on the rocks. They were slick, but plenty big to walk on.

  She stood in the center of the river on the large rock where Nick’s truck had once lain crooked, its interior sucking up water like a sponge.

  I probably cried enough tears last week to crest this river.

  To her left was a large clearing. She walked back across the rocky waterway, climbed the sloping terrain, and headed to that area.

  She snapped off a twig from a tree and poked at the brush in front of her as she walked. No sense stepping on a snoozing snake. “Where are you, Jake? Help me find you.”

  I’m not crazy.

  After three hours of wandering the woods, she knew, crazy or not, that she couldn’t stay out much longer. Mosquitoes had begun nibbling on her as if she was a buffet. She swatted at one buzzing around her head.

  She hiked toward the highway noise to her car. Her legs ached and so did her heart.

  The next morning, Jeremy stopped by. It was Wednesday—the day Grem got her hair done each week. He’d been stopping by every Wednesday since the accident. Kasey wasn’t sure if it was Grem’s idea or his, but she’d started to appreciate his visits.

  Still in her nightshirt, Kasey opened the door. Dots of pink calamine lotion highlighted her itchy mosquito bites.

  “What happened to you?” he asked.

  “Promise not to laugh?”

  Jeremy smiled. “Hell, no. If you’re going to make me promise, it has to be funny.” He followed her into the living room.

  “Fine. I went back to the accident site to see if I could get a connection or idea about where I might find Jake.”

  He sat down in the chair across from her. “I wouldn’t laugh about that. I know how you’re hurting. I wish I could fix everything for you right now.”

  “You’re so sweet. It was stupid, I know, but it seemed
like it was worth a shot. Better than sitting here wondering.”

  A glazed look spread over his face.

  “I’ve brought you down, too.” She sat next to him. “I’m not very good company these days.”

  He patted her leg. “Don’t be silly. It’s just so hard for me to see you so sad.”

  “I just wish I knew. I’ve memorized every angle of the terrain near the accident, and I’m no closer to finding Jake. I’m running out of ideas. And to make matters worse, the police don’t seem to have the same sense of urgency they had before.” Tears slid to her chin. She swept them away with her sleeve. “I know he’s alive. I know in here.” She tapped her heart. “But I need a glimmer of hope that I’ll find him.”

  “I’m so sorry.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sat silent for a moment. Then he lifted his head and looked her square in the eye. “I have an idea, but I’m not sure you’re going to like it.”

  Kasey’s eyes brightened. “Anything.”

  He started to speak, then paused. “Well.” He cleared his throat, then scooched to the edge of his seat. “I know this gal. It’s a long shot. She does tea-leaf readings.”

  She leaned back and rolled her eyes. “Oh, no. You know how I feel about that black magic. It’s just tempting bad stuff to come your way. I don’t think I could do that.”

  “No. It’s not like that. Tasseography is a divine practice.”

  She grimaced. “Tassy-whatever-ography doesn’t sound divine. It sounds scary.”

  “Just think about it.” He shrugged. “The practice is based on meditation and stuff, so you probably need to believe and trust that it will work. You said you’d do anything.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I know, but I don’t think I’m that desperate. That’s just....” She ran her hands up and down her arms to chase the nervous tingle that followed the thought of tempting fate with that sort of magic.

  “The offer stands. If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll set it up.”

  She was hesitant to even consider it. “You’d go with me?”

  “Of course. Anything.” His gaze pleaded with her.