Tempting Chase_Burlap and Barbed Wire

by Shirley Penick

  Cade braked to slow the truck. “Don’t need a ticket, either. Although they should be at Katie’s. Not looking for speeders.”

  “True, but let’s not tempt fate. It’s not been on our side the last twelve hours.”

  “That’s for damn sure.” Cade sighed. “Although things could have been worse.”

  Chase shuddered at the thought. “Don’t remind me.”

  They pulled up in front of Katie’s store and saw her talking to one of the deputies, while another one was up next to the window looking at the evidence. Chase hopped out of the truck and went to stand beside her. She reached for his hand and he held on tight to her cold fingers to give her moral support while she answered the man’s questions.

  Cade went over to where the other officer was examining the window.

  The deputy said to Katie, “So let me make sure I got the facts straight. You woke up about four AM?”

  Katie shifted from foot to foot. “Yes, a little before four, because I laid there listening for a while before I looked at the time. I startled awake, so I didn’t want to move until I could figure out if there was any danger.”

  “So, does sometime between three-thirty and four sound about right?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you don’t recall actually hearing anything?” He asked.

  “No. I was sound asleep and then I was awake and fearful. You know, heart pounding scared.”

  “But you never went to investigate?”

  “No, when I didn’t hear anything, I just went back to sleep.”

  The deputy put the pencil behind his ear. “Okay then. We’ll do some more investigation in the store, it will take us about a half hour if you want to grab a cup of coffee. Then you can look to see if anything was stolen. You’ll probably want to put some plywood over the window until you can get the glass people out here.”

  Katie nodded to the deputy and then looked at Chase.

  Chase said, “Of course, we’ll help you with that.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled weakly at him.

  He squeezed her hand. “Do you want to stay here or go across the street to the café for a cup of coffee? Or upstairs?”

  “Let’s go across the street. I want to sit down and let someone else make the coffee.”

  Chase nodded. “I am capable of making coffee or tea for you, if you don’t want to be around people.”

  “Thanks, but being with people is fine and I could use a donut or something. I had a bagel earlier, but I’ve used that all up, freaking out and talking to the Sheriff’s department, telling them the same thing over and over and over.”

  “Just making sure they got the facts straight. At least it wasn’t Drew, you know how relentless he can be.”

  She finally gave him a nearly full smile. “I do and I’m glad he was on last night instead when it was more serious. The deputy said those guys are still in jail, so they couldn’t have done this.”

  Chase signaled to his brother that they were going to the coffee shop. “I figured they would still be in jail. No one would rush in to deal with guys that harass women.”

  “But if it isn’t them, who could it be?” She sighed like the whole world was on her shoulders. “We’ve never had anything like this happen before. Not since I’ve been old enough to know about it anyway.”

  Chase held the door open to the café, so she could go in before him. “I have no idea. Just let the police handle it. Hopefully someone saw something.”

  She didn’t look convinced. Jen came up to take them to a table. “Looks like you’ve had some trouble, Katie. Hi, Chase.”

  “Yeah, I don’t want to, but I suppose we should sit where we can see the building and what the lawmen are doing.” Katie shrugged and seemed to shrink before his eyes.

  “You got it hon. Follow me. Is Cade going to join you?”

  Chase was so busy worrying about Katie he barely heard her, he shook his head to clear his thoughts. “It’s hard to say with him. Give us a four top just in case.”

  Jen said, “I’ll bring you coffee, Chase. Katie, do you want water or something else?”

  Katie looked so sad he wanted to hold her on his lap and rock her. “I think some hot chocolate. Comfort food, you know.”

  “Of course, I’ll be right back.”

  Chase took Katie’s hand to give her strength or comfort or just someone to hold on to. He didn’t really know what to say or how to help, but he could hold her hand.

  Katie was so glad Chase was with her, he wasn’t saying much, but just knowing he was beside her, helped her to be strong. Kept her from spiraling into depression or hysteria. He was her anchor while she was feeling storm-tossed and confused.

  Jen came back with their drinks. “Do either of you want food?”

  Chase said, “Yes please, your big breakfast. I hadn’t eaten yet when Katie texted us.”

  Katie saw Cade walking across the street. “Cade is coming.”

  “Two of them then, Jen. Cade hasn’t eaten either.”

  Jen nodded. “What about you, Katie?”

  She thought some protein might be a good idea, rather than a donut, it looked like she was going to need it. Plus, the hot chocolate was enough sugar. “Maybe some scrambled eggs and wheat toast.”

  “With a little cheese like you like it?”

  Katie nodded.

  Jen said, “I’ll get this order put in and bring Cade back some coffee.”

  Cade rushed in the door and over to their table, flinging himself into the chair. “Did you order me food? I’m starving.”

  “Of course,” Chase told his twin. “So?”

  Cade leaned forward. “It looks like someone whacked it with a hammer or something, there wasn’t a rock or anything else inside that would break a window. But the guys didn’t think it looked like anyone went inside. The glass didn’t look disturbed, even. There were jagged pieces coming up from the bottom, so it would have been hard to climb over those since the window ledge is a good three feet up.”

  Katie didn’t know what to think about that, her chest tightened and there was a flutter in her stomach at the idea of malicious damage. “Someone just smashed my window for no reason? Just to be mean?”

  Cade nodded. “That’s what they think anyway, they’re going to go inside and look around some more, but from the outside that’s their conclusion.”

  “But why would anyone do that? I don’t understand.” She gripped Chase’s hand tighter.

  Chase ran his thumb across the back of her hand and over her knuckles in soothing circles.

  Cade shrugged. “No clue, K. But Chase and I will get some plywood to put up over the window for you. You probably can’t get glass before next week. Do you want to open today? No one would blame you if you didn’t.”

  Did she want to open? She didn’t want to just go sit in her apartment with nothing to do and the twins probably had to get back to the ranch. Cade had mentioned they were working on the hay this week. She might as well open, after she cleaned up the glass, that is. “Yeah, I might as well. I need to clean up the glass first.” She sighed. “The plywood will look ugly, but it’s necessary.”

  Chase said, “It doesn’t take two of us to buy a sheet of plywood. I’ll stay and help you with the glass.”

  She felt relief at his statement and wondered why she was feeling anxious about cleaning up the mess. She smiled weakly at Chase. “Thanks, I could use the help.”

  Cade was watching her and then turned to look at his brother. She wondered what silent twin communication was happening at that moment. Cade nodded and said, “True, I can manage to go to the hardware slash feed store alone. Do we need anything for the ranch while I’m there? Never mind, I’ll call dad. I’ve got tools in my truck, so once I get the wood, we can put it up.”

  They finished their breakfast and went back across the street. Katie hadn’t noticed when he’d gotten there but Sheriff Drake had arrived at some point while they were across the street.

  He walked out of
her store and came over to the three of them. “Katie, you’re welcome back in the store. It doesn’t look like anyone entered it, but look around and see if anything is missing, just in case.”

  She nodded her agreement.

  Drake looked at the twins. “You two going to give her a hand?”

  Cade said, “Yes sir, I’m going to get some plywood and Chase is going to help her with the glass cleanup.”

  “Good. This looks like someone just being mean. It could be kids. It could be random. But based on what happened last night I have to wonder if it was a coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidence, but those guys from last night are still locked up in my jail with pretty heavy hangovers, so I have no way to link the events. I’ll keep my eyes open and you do the same, Katie.”

  “I will, Sheriff.” She felt her throat closing with tears and needed to get off the street. “Thanks, can I go inside now?”

  “You sure can. I’ve got the dimensions for the window. I’ll give them to Cade.”

  She hurried inside before she broke down in the middle of the street. Chase stayed right beside her, but she noticed him look back toward his twin and the Sheriff.

  Chapter 9

  Chase wondered what Drake was telling Cade. Drake was their father’s best friend and had always been a fixture in their lives. He was acting a little strange and clearly was talking to Cade about whatever he suspected.

  He’d find out later. Katie was his first priority and she was looking a little fragile. He followed her to the back room where she just stopped. Looking around like she was confused.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and shook her head. “No, Chase. I’m not.”

  As silent tears tracked down her face, he pulled her into his arms. Tucking her head under his chin, he held her tight while she cried. His heart broke at her distress. If he had any words of comfort he would voice them, but he had nothing, nothing at all, so he just held her.

  After a few minutes she looked up with a watery smile. “Thanks, I needed that.”

  “Happy to be of service.”

  “Thanks for not telling me everything is okay, or any of the other trite things people say.”

  She was thanking him for being a dumbass and not trying to help? He could deal with that. She didn’t have to know his mind had not held any thoughts, at all. Not one single thought.

  Chase ran one hand down her arm. “Sure, ready to get that mess cleaned up? I can get started if you want to… wash your face or something.”

  “I’ll do that. The broom and dust pan are in the closet and there’s a big trashcan up front under the counter. I emptied it last night before leaving for Karaoke. Was it really just last night? It seems like it’s been a week.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, just last night, but a lot has happened since you took the trash out.”

  “Isn’t that the truth. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Carrying the broom and dustpan to the front of the store he looked the window over from the inside. More glass was going to fall as he pulled the big pieces from the window. He swept up what was there, but knew he wasn’t finished with that job yet. Grabbing a pair of heavy-duty gloves Katie had for sale he pulled them on, so he could start on the jagged pieces of glass. Drake’s appraisal seemed spot on, that no one came inside, there was way too much glass still stuck to crawl in the window.

  The plywood they would nail up would detract from the looks of the building. If it was going to be up for a while it would be worth it to do something with the surface. Maybe paint it or… hey he could get some markers or paint and draw a cute picture on the front of it. He did pretty good caricatures of people, he could do a depiction of the townsfolks. Katie always did like his drawings, and it might cheer her up.

  He could probably come over after work today. As he cleaned up the glass he thought about the idea and a picture started to form in his head. When Katie joined him, he had to fight the grin that wanted to break across his face, at the plan he’d concocted to decorate the wood.

  “I’ve got the glass, you look around and make sure nothing’s missing. I agree with Drake, I don’t think anyone could have gotten in here, but you should still check to make sure.”

  She looked at him oddly and then nodded. “I’ll check, if you don’t need any help.”

  “Nope. Put these gloves on the Rockin’ K’s tab.”

  “But…”

  “No arguing, I’ll take them and put them to good use, don’t you worry. I needed a new pair anyway.” He didn’t really, but it was a good excuse.

  Once he got all the glass cleaned up he didn’t know what to do with himself while he waited for Cade. He tried not to think about the kiss last night. It had been magnificent, but he kept reminding himself it had happened because they were both relieved that she was safe, and no harm had come to her. But he had to admit he felt even more protective of her since the kiss, and he wouldn’t mind another one or twenty. No. She was his buddy, his pal, his best friend, nothing more.

  He decided he could do some shopping while he waited, he still needed blades for his razor and he could see what she had for art supplies for her plywood. He had some things at home, but the plywood probably would be very absorbent with a rough finish, so he wasn’t sure if what he had at home would do it. Markers might be good or possibly pastels. Pastels might actually be the best because they wouldn’t absorb like a marker would and possibly fade.

  Cade came in and found him in the art supplies aisle. “What are you doing? I thought you were helping Katie. Not buying toys.”

  Chase saw Katie was helping a customer that had come in. “I am. She’s so bummed out about the ugly plywood covering the window I thought I could surprise her by drawing a caricature on it of the townspeople.”

  A slow grin slid across Cade’s face. “That is an excellent idea. I talked to dad to see if we needed anything from the feedstore and told him what happened. He said if Katie needed support and some protection today one of us could stay with her. Since you actually came up with an idea to make her smile. You can stay, and I’ll go back to work.”

  “Really? I planned to work on it tonight after work.”

  Cade glanced toward Katie. She was still busy with a customer. “Drake doesn’t want her by herself for a few days. He can put an extra watch on the store, but he wants her to have someone around just in case.”

  Chase saw Katie start their way. “Got it. Here she comes.”

  “Are you two going to stand around all day yacking while birds and bugs fly into my store or are you going to put up the ugly plywood?”

  Cade twirled her around in a pseudo dance move. “Why, little Katie darlin’, we are going to put that ugly plywood up and keep them mean nasty critters out of your store.”

  Katie laughed, and Chase rolled his eyes at his brother. “All right Don Juan, let’s get moving. Daylight’s burning.”

  Chase turned to Katie and handed her the enormous pastel set he’d found on a bottom shelf and the razor blades he needed. “Ring these up please and I’ll get them when we’re finished hanging the plywood.”

  Katie watched the twins walk outside, their heads together. Something was up and since they had stopped talking about it when she walked up she knew it had to do with her. They would tell her about it eventually. They always did. But she’d learned during the many years that they would talk it through first. She’d also learned it didn’t do a bit of good to try to cajole it out of them before they were ready. So, she would wait and be patient, even if it killed her.

  Her phone chimed with an incoming text from Summer, not a surprise, since Cade had purchased the wood from her family’s hardware store.

  Summer: How are you doing? Cade told me about the window.

  Katie: Sucks, big time. The glass people can’t get here until Friday the week after next!

  Summer: Oh man that’s a long time to have a board instead of a window.

  Katie: Ri
ght?! Fourteen days!!! It will make it dark in the store and ugly on the outside.

  Summer: Some white paint would reflect, but that’s a lot of work for a couple of weeks.

  Katie: Yeah, so not worth it.

  Summer: Maybe you could tack up a picture or a map or something.

  Katie: Not a bad idea. I’ll give it some thought. Thanks.

  Summer: Let me know if I can help.

  Katie: Will do. TTYL. Customer.

  Summer: Me too. Bye.

  After she greeted one of the fishing regulars that came every year, she thought about Summer’s suggestion. It might make her feel better to post something on the wood. They had a couple of tourist maps of the area that might be cute. And one of the National Park.

  While her customer shopped, and the guys hammered, she went foraging for maps and a staple gun she knew was in the back room. The tourist rack had a town map that was not at all to scale but did show a whimsical depiction of the stores, lodging, and activities in the area. It had a drawing of her store with its big picture window, she grinned when she put a tiny bandage over the window. She found a more technical map of the National Park, the one you automatically got when you paid at the entrance.

  The town rodeo was in a few weeks, she’d seen some larger posters around town and wondered if they had any left. She’d put up fliers for it on her bulletin board, but had never had anywhere to put a large poster, well she did now, for two weeks anyway.

  She rang up the sale for the fisherman, who wasn’t much of a talker. He wasn’t grumpy, just didn’t talk much. “Thanks for coming in, good luck fishing.”

  The old guy saluted her and walked out the door, as the twins walked in.

  “Plywood is up so no critters can get you.” Cade looked at her closely. “I don’t want to hear any complaining. Drake thinks one of us should stick around for a day or two, just in case. Chase is going to hang around today. We want you to come stay at the ranch tonight. Chase and I can bunk together, and you can have the other room.”

  Spend the night at the ranch? Drake was worried? Chase was staying? Her mind whirled with all Cade had dropped on her head. “But….”