He ignored her statement and plunged ahead. “I know you and Dad had a good relationship; at least, I think you did, but I never saw the passion or the happiness I’ve seen in other couples. The kind of passion I hope to have someday. I know you didn’t fuss and fight, but you were almost too polite to each other. You were always the perfect couple in public. Kind of reminded me of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.”
“First time anyone has ever compared us to royalty.” She tried to smile.
“Quit trying to change the subject, Mom. I’ve had this on my mind for a long time.”
“All right, Andrew. If you’re asking me if I loved your dad, the answer is, in a way I did. It wasn’t a passionate type love as you said, but I respected him, I cared for him and I trusted him to take care of you and me, and he did. He felt the same way about me, but I doubt he’d have ever married me if you hadn’t been in the picture.”
“What do you mean?”
“More than anything in the world, Woodrow wanted a child, but he was sterile and could never father one of his own. When I came to work at the store, he liked me and asked me out a few times. Probably nothing would’ve come of that, but one night, I turned down his dinner invitation because you had a bad cold. I told him about you and why I couldn’t go.” She smiled at Andrew. “His eyes lit up like you wouldn’t believe. From that moment on, he made it his quest to marry me and become your father.”
“But if you didn’t love him why did you let him talk you into marriage?”
“As time went on and we continued to see each other, I knew I could have a good life with him. He was wonderful to me and he loved you dearly. I think I made the right decision, don’t you?” She looked at him and hoped this satisfied his curiosity.
“It has been a good life.”
“Yes, it has. And if Woodrow hadn’t died, I’d still be married to him and he would comfort me when you’re one the road doing only God knows what.”
Andrew grinned. “Then I guess I have to accept the fact that my drummer isn’t going to get his hands on my mom.” She frowned, and he added, “Willy is always telling me my mom is one of the hottest chicks he’s seen in a long time.”
Julia laughed. “And how old is this Willy?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe twenty-five.”
Julie shook her head and stood. “You finish eating. I’m going to go back to the den and read my paper.”
She was almost to the door when Andrew said, “One more question, Mom. Have you closed down your feelings for other men because of a guy named Seth?”
CHAPTER 13
Seth didn’t notice the figure slip around the corner of the gate as soon as his lights left the opening and spread up the driveway. He flipped a switch and closed the gate behind him. He eased up the slick winding drive, pulled his truck into the four-car garage and entered the house through the breezeway door. It felt good to be home, not that being in his six-bedroom house alone was something he enjoyed. Yet, it was better than the smoke, loud noise, old sweat and stale beer smells of the bar where Richard had insisted they meet. The meeting turned out to be a dud. In the three hours they sat there, the person Richard wanted him to see if he could identify never showed.
Some Hell of a way to spend New Year’s Day. He closed the door.
In the kitchen, he flipped on the coffee pot. Norma knew his habits well. He always liked a fresh cup of coffee before bed and she never failed to leave the pot ready to make. He took his outer clothes off while it perked. By the time he had everything hung up, had taken a piece of apple pie from the container on the cabinet, put a slice of cheese on it and warmed it in the microwave, the coffee sputtered and was finished. He filled a mug with the black liquid, picked up his pie and headed to the elevator that led to his office on the second floor. It was time to write checks for his crew again, and he decided to do it tonight instead of going to the tack room office in the morning.
When he entered the dark office, he saw the red light flashing on his telephone answering machine. He flipped on the light, sat his food and himself down then turned on the machine, expecting to hear one of his workers. Other than them, very few people used his business line.
“Seth, it’s Kay. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think I might have a lead on the whereabouts of Julia Halsey. Give me a call when you get a chance.”
He grabbed the phone to return the call then stopped himself. It was after eleven. He couldn’t call Kay this late.
“Damn.” He replaced the phone. I wish I’d refused to meet Richard at that bar. That old drunk woman trying to hit on me was bad enough, but the whole evening was wasted. I could’ve been here to take Kay’s call. Now, I have to wait until tomorrow to find out what she knows.
He pulled out the checkbook and tried to concentrate on his work, but it was no use. His mind kept slipping back to Julia and what would happen if they ever came face to face again. He knew what he wanted to happen. His desire would be for her to fall in his arms and then for them to lose themselves in each other’s love as they’d always done in the past.
“Fool!” He said aloud. “That’ll never happen. What would she want with an old crippled man like you are now?” He slammed the book shut. The checks would have to wait until tomorrow.
He stood and looked out the long window at the expanse of the manicured lawn which was hiding under the snow for the fourth time this year. Though he always looked forward to spring, for some reason, this winter had been doubly hard, and he couldn’t wait for warmer weather to arrive. This winter, he missed Julia the most he had in a long time and couldn’t help wondering where she was and what she was doing.
If she was happily married and never gave him a second thought, it was probably better to know than to wonder for the rest of his life. Though knowing she was living with and loving another man would be hard to swallow, especially since he’d kept their love alive in his heart for all these years. “But she won’t forget. She can’t. We had too much love between us. I know it didn’t die,” he said aloud. “She always said we had a forever love. The single rose I always gave her was a symbol of that love.”
Another thought gripped him. What if she was penniless and living as a bitter old woman somewhere? “No.” He wouldn’t entertain that thought. “If she was desperate, surely she’d call me. Even if it was only for money.”
Before his mind could conger up another scenario, he saw car lights edging up the driveway. He smiled to himself, knowing it was his children and their dates. He decided to do something he seldom did. He was going downstairs and be in the den when they came in. At least their happy chatter would help him put the fact that he might learn something about Julia in the back of his mind until morning.
He went downstairs without touching his pie or his coffee.
•♥ •
When Jessica and Hunter came into the den with their dates, Seth laid the paper he pretended to be reading aside. “Hi, kids.”
“Hello, Mr. Armstrong,” Brooke Martin smiled at him.
Seth smiled back as he reached out to shake Jimmy Littleton’s extended hand. He had a feeling he was looking at his future son-in-law, and he knew he was looking at his future daughter-in-law.
Brooke had been Hunter’s assistant ever since she graduated from UNC at Asheville two years ago. He’d given her a horse for her birthday last year, and for Christmas this year, he’d put a diamond on her hand. Seth guessed he was pleased. The two seemed to be in love and he felt Brooke would probably make Hunter a good wife. He didn’t know why there was a little doubt there. Maybe it was because he wasn’t seeing the passion he thought should be in a couple on the verge of marriage.
“None of you look worse for the wear,” Seth said. “Did everything go well?
“It’s been a fun filled weekend, Daddy. We had such a blast at the party last night. I didn’t think we’d be able to get to the slope and ski today, but we did.” Jessica sat on the sofa and Jimmy joined her.
Hunter sat i
n one of the big chairs and pulled Brooke down beside him. “It would’ve been better if these two women weren’t so straight laced last night.” Seth raised an eyebrow and Hunter went on. “After the concert and we kissed them happy New Year and did a little dancing, they had the nerve to insist on sleeping in their own room. Wouldn’t let me and Jimmy anywhere near them.”
Seth noticed that the girls blushed, as did Jimmy. He chuckled. “If you ask me, I think they were pretty smart. I don’t think I’d trust you guys, either.”
“Don’t pay any attention to him, Daddy. Jimmy was a perfect gentleman. I can’t say the same thing about my little brother.”
“I know your little brother, Jessica. Brooke has trouble on her hands, if you ask me.” He winked at her.
“I think I can handle him, Mr. Armstrong.” She snuggled against Hunter when he put his arm around her. “I’m going to give it a try, anyway.”
Seth started to get up. “I think I’ll leave you young folks alone and go to bed. Somebody in this family has to keep a clear head.”
“Wait a minute, Daddy. I’ve got to tell you something.”
He turned and looked at Hunter.
“Yes, Daddy, let him tell you. It was eerie.” Jessica shivered.
“What happened?” Seth dropped back in the chair.
“You know we went to the party at the hotel and Andrew Singleton was performing.”
“I think I heard him on the radio the other day. Most of the time, the guys keep country music playing in the barn.”
“I bet you did, Daddy. He has a beautiful voice and he’s getting real popular.”
“He’d not bad-looking either,” Brooke said.
“You would think so.” Hunter squeezed her. “Anyway, back to my story. To make Brooke happy, I decided I’d see if I could get a short interview for the paper. After meeting him a few weeks ago, I knew we looked alike, but I had no idea how much until he came out to meet with us and I saw everyone do a double take.” Hunter took a breath. “Daddy, the guy really does look a lot like me.”
“A lot, my foot,” Jessica said. “He could’ve been Hunter’s twin. Same height, about the same size and the same hair.”
Brooke broke in. “They looked so much alike that when we were leaving, a couple of teenaged girls in the lobby ran up and ask Hunter for his autograph. They even called him Andrew.”
“That’s weird.” Seth looked at him.
“Were you playing around about the time I was born, Daddy?” Hunter teased. “Maybe that guy’s your son.”
Before Seth could answer, Jessica said, “Wouldn’t that be a kick? You wouldn’t be Daddy’s golden boy all by yourself. My other brother would be a famous country singer instead of a rinky-dink reporter.”
“I’ll rinky-dink you, sister.” He tossed a sofa pillow at Jessica.
Seth stood. “They say everybody in the world has a twin somewhere. I guess you met yours last night.”
“So, does that mean I don’t have a famous country singer for a brother?” Jessica stuck out her lip and everyone laughed.
“As far as I know, I only have three children in this world. You two and your big sister, Ashley. And on that note, I’m going to bed.”
“Oh, come on Dad. I want to have a famous brother. Didn’t you slip up, just one time?” Hunter cocked his head at his dad.
Seth shook his head. “Brooke, are you sure you want to marry into a family like this?”
“I think your family is wonderful, Mr. Armstrong.”
“So do I,” Jimmy added with a smile.
•♥ •
In the side of the front yard, near the grove of fir trees a shadowy figure paced back and forth spewing obscenities softly. “Damn, damn, damn. Why did the gun have to jam now? I had the perfect shot while he was standing at the window. I could’ve killed him for sure. Damn it to Hell. Now, I have to think of something else.”
The figure turned and walked toward the barn. “Maybe I’ll kill one of his precious horses. That Powder, maybe. The way he pampers him, it’d probably do more damage than killing the cripple, himself. Eve would like that.”
CHAPTER 14
At one o’clock in the morning the alarm ripped through the night and Seth sat up in bed. For a minute he was dazed, then it dawned on him what it was. “Somebody’s trying to get in the barn.”
He hit the floor, jerked on his pants and slipped his feet into his boots. Grabbing his cane and buttoning his shirt, he headed out the bedroom door as Jessica came running down the stairs.
“What’s going on, Daddy?”
“Somebody has broken into the barn.” He headed toward the garage as he took his heavy coat and his hat from the hallway to the garage.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, Jessica. You stay here. I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
“Don’t you dare go out that door without me.” Jessica ran up the stairs and within minutes was coming back down. “Thanks for waiting. I’m ready.”
“For a woman, you sure can rush, can’t you?” Seth took her arm and guided her to the truck. While he’d waited, he’d taken the time to find his scarf and gloves.
By the time they got to the barn, Theo had all the outside lights on and was looking around the interior.
“See anything?” Seth asked as they came into the facility.
“Not a thing, but when the alarm people called I told them to go ahead and send the police.”
“That’s good. Maybe whoever it was is still around.”
“Yeah. I let it continue to blast for a couple of minutes before I turned it off. Thought maybe it would give the intruder a scare.”
Jessica was rushing up and down and looking into each stall. Some of the horses were agitated and afraid because of the noise, but were calming down so she joined her father and Theo.
“Should we look around outside?” She looked at them.
“I thought about that, Miss Jessica, but I was afraid I might mess up some tracks if the idiot left any.”
“That’s another good call, Theo. I’ve been around Richard long enough to know the police want to look around first.” He glanced at the interior of the stable. “I’m glad they didn’t get in. No telling what they had on their mind.”
“After last time, Boss, it could be anything.”
“At least there wasn’t a malfunction like the alarm company said happened before.”
“Sure wasn’t. That thing was loud enough to wake the dead.”
The sound of sirens entered the air. “Did you fix the gate so they could get in, Daddy?”
“The gate to the barn is open, Miss Jessica. I sent one of the guys down to make sure of that.”
“I didn’t change the one to the house, honey, but if I need to, I’ll do it later.”
The police cars stopped outside and in a minute four officers were coming into the barn. Seth raised an eyebrow. “Richard, I didn’t expect to see you out here this time of morning.”
“I didn’t expect to be out. My bed felt mighty good when the call came. I thought about turning over and ignoring it.”
“Since we haven’t found a thing wrong, maybe you should have, Chief.” Theo grinned.
“Seen anything suspicious?”
“Not a thing, Richard. Theo checked the horses and Jessica checked behind him. Didn’t see anything either, did you, honey?”
“Nothing.”
“Hello, Jessica,” Richard said. “I hear you’re a darn good English teacher.”
“Thank you, Chief Staples. I try to be. Your daughter is doing quite well in my class. She’s talented in writing. Her poetry award shows that.”
“I’m proud of her for winning that, but I just wish she could do half as good in math.” He turned back to Seth. “Been walking around outside any?”
“Just to get out of the truck and come in here. I figured you didn’t want anyone trouncing about in case there were footprints.”
“Jessica, I’m going to make a detective out
of your father, yet. He catches on fast.”
“He was always good at finding out what we were going to do before we even did it, but I don’t believe he’ll ever give up his horses to play sleuth.”
Richard chuckled. “Probably not.”
“Chief,” an officer said as he came into the barn. “There are a lot of tracks around the side of the barn. I followed them a ways and they came from up that hill toward the east.”
“That’s the direction of the house, isn’t it?” Richard looked at Seth.
“Nobody should be coming from the house on foot in this weather. The ground isn’t flat after you get off the lawn area and one could fall. We always drive to the barn in the winter.”
“Was anyone playing around in the yard today?”
Jessica shook her head. “Hunter and I went with some friends to Asheville for a New Year’s Eve party. We spent the night and went skiing today.”
“And you know I spent most of my evening in that bar with you. Today I went over to Alex’s for a traditional New Year’s feast.”
“Yeah, I know. You told me earlier. Margaret cooked the same thing. That was one reason I had such a time waking up to get here. I didn’t get to eat until we went home, and I guess I ate so much I couldn’t go to sleep. The minute I dropped off, the call came in.” He looked around. “Elliot, I want you to post a man to watch the house tonight. Armstrong is going to open the front gate so you can pull your car in. Don’t get out and walk around. I want the lawn to be kept in the same condition it’s in tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seth pulled the remote out of his pocket and punched in some numbers. “It’ll open now. All you have to do is push the button on the left side about half way up the post.”
The officer nodded. “Thanks, Seth. I don’t want someone out there messing up the tracks unless it’s our suspect.” He closed the notebook he’d been writing in. “Why don’t you folks get some sleep. I’m going to leave a man here at the barn and head home myself.”
“Want us to reset the alarm?” Theo asked.
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