Secrets In The Shadows

by T. L. Haddix

  Chapter Three

  Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, promising to be a beautiful day. At seven-thirty, however, it was still a little cool, and the breeze blowing off the river made light sweaters and long sleeves a necessity.

  Lauren parked next to the town square and yawned. Grabbing her coffee, she got out and leaned against the side of her SUV as she waited for her parents. Other vendors began setting up their tables and tents, and soon the large park was filled with sound as tent spikes were driven into the ground and instructions were shouted to helpers.

  A Native American craftsman set up a jewelry booth selling silver and gold worked into stunning pieces around semi-precious stones. Old Mrs. McCullogh, eighty years old if she was a day, still had her tent, under which she lovingly placed the quilts she had sewn by machine and hand-quilted during the winter. She often received hundreds of dollars for each blanket. The new-age crowd was drawn to the Shangri-La booth full of candles, incense, salt rock lamps, and dream catchers. Booths full of books, antiques, dishes, used junk from people’s attics, cosmetics, and a large assortment of other goods were open for a diverse shopping crowd.

  Molly had chosen to set up her booth on the side of the two-acre park nearest the Brown Bag, knowing the location would be convenient if someone needed to run over to the shop and grab something. Looking around the park, Lauren smiled, proud of her mother’s enterprise. A successful insurance agent, Molly was just as well known for her talent in the kitchen. Though she had sold her wares at the farmer’s markets for years, she had decided a couple years earlier to slow down at the insurance agency she co-owned with two other agents and focus on her homemade goods. She did a thriving business, usually selling every item she’d brought. It wasn’t unusual for her to end up giving rain checks to customers, then filling those orders during the week.

  Lauren was just finishing her coffee when her mother pulled up to park behind her, truck loaded with supplies. She put the mug in her SUV and walked back to meet her parents. When she saw that her mother was alone, she was surprised.

  “Where’s Daddy?” A black truck pulled up behind her mother’s, and her father hopped out of the passenger side, waving.

  “Oh, he rode with Charlie. He’s going to help with the heavy stuff here today.”

  Lauren didn’t say anything as her father came around the front of the truck to hug her.

  “I hear you met our boy yesterday. What’d you think?”

  She laughed. “I don’t know, Daddy. He seemed nice enough, I guess, but it was a five-minute conversation. He has good taste in authors, though.” Looking at her mother, she teased, “Are you going to let him have a sleepover soon so he and Daddy can stay up all night telling dirty jokes and farting?”

  Molly laughed and headed around to the back of the truck. “They do that already.”

  Winston puffed up his chest in mock outrage. “We do not tell dirty jokes. We may tell bad jokes, but not dirty jokes.” As Charlie walked up, her father pointed at him. “Tell my daughter that we don’t sit around and swap dirty jokes. I don’t know who puts these ideas into her head.”

  Lauren’s mouth opened with surprise at having the tables turned so firmly on her. She felt her face turning red. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

  Charlie was trying to not laugh, and she shook her head and started for the back of her mother’s truck. “Not a word,” she warned and walked past him. He held his hands up and kept his mouth shut, though her words didn’t dampen the wide grin on his face.

  As they unloaded the vehicles, making sure her father handled only the lightest loads, she felt Charlie’s gaze several times. Between her blurted comment last night and their latest exchange, she was certain he thought she was certifiable. With an inward cringe, she sighed.

  Molly smiled sympathetically. “Are you missing Ava? You sound troubled.”

  “Yes, but that’s not what I was thinking about. It was nothing, really. Where do you want these flavored oils?”

  “How about on this table here?” Molly gestured to the folding table they’d set up at the side of the tent. “That way they’re a little more protected than the front table, but still accessible to customers.”

  Setting the box down where her mother had indicated, she unpacked it. It was her mother’s spicy pepper blend, extra virgin olive oil infused with jalapenos and crushed red pepper flakes. Lauren knew from firsthand experience how good, and hot, it was. Emptying the box, she placed it underneath the table and grabbed a marker, writing the flavor and price on an index card in front of the bottles. Turning, she bumped into Charlie, who had just set down the last box from the truck.

  “I’m so sorry,” she told him as he steadied her before she could bump into the table behind her. “Now you’ll think I’m clumsy as well as crazy.”

  He laughed. “Not a chance. I’m sure Win would’ve said something before now if you were truly dangerous, and Ava seems perfectly normal.”

  Lauren groaned silently as she started preparing the two large, commercial-sized coffee makers she’d brought. She also provided filtered water, coffee grounds, cups, stirrers, sugar, and cream. Molly covered the cost of the supplies, using the drinks as a draw for customers, and Lauren was able to promote the Brown Bag while helping her mother.

  Winston walked up in time to hear her laugh and turned to Molly. “They’re over here telling dirty jokes. After she jumped all over me for doing it, now she’s doing it herself. I see how it is.”

  “Daddy, you’re incorrigible.”

  Molly leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Changing the subject, how long are you sticking around this morning?” She included Charlie in her question. “Not that we wouldn’t be glad to have you, but it’s getting to be about that time, and I know you’re not overly fond of manning the booth.”

  Lauren’s father winced. “No, it’s not my favorite way to pass the time. We’ll head on out, and leave you ladies to it. What time do you think you’ll wrap things up today?”

  “I’d say around one. There’ll probably be a heavy crowd, so everything should sell pretty quickly. I’ll give you a call if we’re going to be later.” She leaned up and gave him a kiss.

  “What time do you have to be in at the Lighthouse, Charlie?” Winston asked. “Are you working a double today?”

  He shook his head. “No, I’m just on this afternoon. I’ll need to be there about three or four, so I should have plenty of time to come back and help you all load and unload.”

  Molly walked over and tugged his face down to her, giving him a smacking kiss on each cheek. Lauren was amused to see his cheeks turn pink.

  “Have you figured out what you’re going to charge me for labor?”

  He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I kinda figured I’d leave it up to you. Everything you make is good, so I’m in pretty safe hands.”

  She sighed, sounding perplexed. “That doesn’t help. What sounds good? Why don’t we start with that?”

  Charlie shot a quick glance at Lauren, a small smile playing around his mouth. “How about something with strawberries? I really like strawberries, and they’re in season right now.”

  Tapping her chin, Molly considered his answer and smiled. “I know exactly what to make for you, then.”

  “So do you have everything you need before we go?” Winston asked his wife.

  “I think we’re good to go.” She looked at Charlie. “Thanks for your help. We really do appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure. I’ll see you this afternoon.” He nodded to Lauren and Winston before he walked to his truck. With a little wave, he started the engine and drove away.

  “I guess I’ll head out, too, then, if you’re sure you don’t need anything,” Winston said, moving to kiss Molly again. Lauren threw him a distracted smile as she waited on a customer who had walked up and was asking about the flavored oils.

  “I do need one thing before you go, if you don’t mind,” Molly told him. “Go over to Ra
ndy’s and get me a flat of strawberries?”

  He nodded. “No problem. Anything else?”

  “No, that’s it.”

  “See you later, then.” He headed off in the direction of Randy Jarvis’s booth to get the berries.

  For the next couple of hours, a steady stream of people moved through the booth. Lauren and Molly stayed busy, barely having time to catch their breath. By the time the crowd thinned out at ten o’clock, they were both more than ready for a break.

  “Wow, that was intense.” Lauren stretched her legs out in front of her and sipped cold water. “I thought those two ladies were actually going to fight over the last bottle of rosemary oil.”

  Molly laughed. “So did I. Thank God you found that other one back in the back. If you hadn’t, we’d probably have made the newspaper. It’s an ego boost, though, having people that enthusiastic about something you’ve created.”

  They sat for a few minutes, watching the passersby and answering occasional questions.

  “So, are you ready to tell me what’s on your mind?”

  Lauren was surprised. “How did you know? Never mind, I know. It’s that mom thing.” She sighed. “I don’t know; I was just thinking about your neighbor, mostly.” She kept her gaze in her lap and picked at the label on her water bottle. “What do you know about him?”

  Molly watched her closely as she answered. “He’s a little older than you. He isn’t married, and I don’t think he ever has been. He used to be in the Marines, and he runs his own business. He moved back here about two months ago, and seems to lead a pretty quiet life.” She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t remember him from when you were growing up?”

  “No, I don’t. I’ve racked my brain, and if I’ve ever met him, I don’t remember it. I know his dad. He’s a regular at the café.”

  Her mother sighed. “I don’t think they have much of a relationship. Charlie hasn’t said much about it, but from what he has said, I think they’ve been estranged for years. I believe his mother works for a law office up in Madison.”

  “So they’re divorced, I take it?”

  Molly nodded. “For a long time now, I do know that much.”

  “What is it he does, exactly?” Lauren asked. She didn’t even bother pretending she wasn’t interested.

  “I’m not sure exactly. It’s some kind of security consulting business, and he works from home. I know he’s fairly successful, though, because he paid cash for his house.” A group of customers entered the tent. She fell quiet and stood to bag their purchases. The crowd picked up again just then, and there was no more time to talk.

  By noon, they had sold out, and Lauren suggested they lock the moneybox in her SUV and stroll around to the other booths. As they walked through the park, they passed Randy Jarvis’s table, and Molly laughed.

  “What’s funny?”

  “Oh, just thinking about strawberries,” Molly replied nonchalantly. When Lauren sent her a puzzled glance, she explained. “When I asked Charlie what sounded good, he threw a little look in your direction. I thought for a minute he was going to tell me that you did.”

  Lauren gasped. “Mom! He did not.”

  “Oh, he most certainly did. Why shouldn’t he be interested in you? You’re of a similar age, you’re both attractive and unattached. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered him for you.” She gave a small shrug and moved on to the next booth.

  Lauren decided that changing the subject might not be a bad idea. “Have you found that shower curtain you were looking for?”

  Throwing her daughter an amused and knowing glance, she nonetheless answered the question. “Not yet. I’m going to try and persuade your father to drive to New Salem tomorrow morning. Want to come along?”

  “No, but thanks. I’m planning on sleeping late in the morning and being utterly lazy all day. If I take a shower, I’ll consider myself ambitious.”

  “You’ll be up at the crack of dawn cleaning the entire house, and you know it.”

  She chuckled. “You’re probably right, but it’s hard to change old habits. I am going to try to be lazy, though. I picked up a stack of books, and I’m looking forward to getting through at least a couple of them.”

  “You’re still planning on coming to dinner, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Lauren assured her.

  As they reached their booth, they saw that the men had returned and were packing it up. Charlie had just finished folding the canopy and was putting it back in its bag, and Winston was trying to figure out how to open the coffee machine. Seeing them approach, he backed off, hands held up in surrender.

  “I’ll leave it to the expert. Molly, where do you need me?” She directed him to fold the tablecloths and put them in the empty boxes. Charlie returned from taking the canopy to the truck.

  “Where do you want the leftover coffee dumped?”

  “In the storm drain is fine. Let me get the filters out first, though.”

  As she reached down into the second pot, Lauren felt a tingle run down her spine. Frowning, she looked up and around. Her mother and father were at the back of their truck, apparently arguing over Win’s ability to lift something. Lauren tried to shrug it off, but the sensation of something being wrong, of someone watching her, grew stronger.

  Charlie had finished emptying the first urn and was walking back. When he saw the expression on her face, he frowned and touched her arm. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head, trying to shake off the feeling. “I don’t know. I feel like someone’s watching me. I can’t figure out who, though.” She scanned the crowds. Her gaze locked on a woman across the park, and she drew in a sharp breath.

  He quickly looked in the same direction. “Who is it?” When she didn’t respond, he said her name.

  She shook her head slowly, and then, hearing her parents’ voices nearing, took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “Don’t tell my parents,” she begged Charlie. He frowned, but kept silent as Winston and Molly approached them. When she finished digging out the filter, he lifted the pot and carried it off to empty it.

  Keeping her head down, she gathered the unused cups and other items, stashing them in their box. Her parents turned over the table the coffeemakers had been sitting on, folded the legs, and lifted it to carry to the truck, both a little grim-faced. When Charlie returned, he glanced at them and then back at Lauren, a questioning look on his face. She waited until they were out of earshot before answering.

  “Apparently, they argued about his ability to lift.”

  “That isn’t really what I was wondering about. You looked as though you’d seen a ghost a few minutes ago. Want to tell me about that?”

  She shook her head. “I thought I saw someone I knew from years ago. I don’t know; it probably wasn’t her. At least, I hope not. It’s no big deal,” she said, not wanting to get into details. “It was just a surprise, that’s all.”

  They made sure everything was packed up, then joined her parents at Molly’s truck. Lauren unlocked her SUV. Charlie lifted the coffee makers into the back and closed the tailgate.

  “Do you guys want me to follow you back to the house?” she asked.

  Winston shook his head. “We’ve got it covered, honey. You’ve done enough today.” He gave her a hug. “We’ll see you tomorrow evening?”

  “Sure thing, Daddy.” She hugged her mother and pulled away. Smiling at Charlie, she thanked him for helping. “I’ll see you all later, then. Just call me if you need anything.”

  As she pulled out onto the street, she kept a smile firmly on her face until she was out of sight. She forced herself to breathe slowly, trying to think calmly about the woman she had seen across the park.

  It had been thirteen years, but Lauren had recognized her instantly. The last time she had seen that face, it had been contorted with rage. The face and the woman who owned it appeared older, worn, and weathered, but the hatred was still there. If looks could kill, Lauren would have dropped where she stood.<
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  Chapter Four

  Night had long since fallen on Sunday when Lauren finally left her parents’ house. It had been a lively evening with her parents and Charlie. The four of them ended up playing cards until nearly ten o’clock. After the game, Winston and Charlie moved into the family room, and Molly drew Lauren into the kitchen to get some leftovers.

  “I know you probably don’t want to cook this week, since Ava’s not there, so I’m sending these home with you.” She started getting the dishes out of the refrigerator and putting them in a box.

  “I appreciate that, Mom, but I didn’t drive over here. I didn’t think I’d be here after dark. I can stop by tomorrow and pick this up, if you don’t mind.”

  “You know I don’t mind, honey, but you’re not walking home after dark. I’ll drive you over.”

  Lauren started to protest. Molly shot her a look and she backed down, hands raised. “Okay, you want to drive me home, I’ll let you.” Although she only lived about a mile from her parents’ house, the road was winding and very dark, without many streetlights to illuminate the way. “I’m grateful to not have to walk, to tell the truth. I’ll just go say goodnight to Daddy.”

  Heading into the family room, she paused at the doorway. Her father had kicked back in his recliner and was holding court with Charlie. As Winston gestured expansively, she walked over and leaned on the back of his chair. He glanced back at her, and patted the arm of his chair.

  “There’s my girl now. I was just telling Charlie about the time you painted your brother.”

  Lauren groaned, sitting down and leaning against her father’s shoulder. “Daddy, tell me you weren’t.” She looked at Charlie for confirmation. Seeing his large grin, she realized that her father really had been telling the tale. “I was ten years old, for goodness’ sake. Tristan enjoyed being blue.”

  Charlie burst out laughing, and she couldn’t keep a straight face. She told him about her parents’ reactions. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a look. Daddy was completely at a loss for words.”