Gone without a Trace

by Patricia Bradley

  Livy’s face paled. She didn’t respond, and the hum of the tires filled the silence between them. Finally, she gave a shrug. “I’m getting there.”

  “That’s the reason for your leave, right?”

  “Yeah.” She turned her right blinker on. “We’re almost home.”

  Like Robyn didn’t know that, but it was obvious Livy didn’t want to discuss the shooting. Maybe in a day or two, she would open up. “Does Mom know you’re bringing someone?”

  “I called Kate earlier and told her I was bringing a paying guest, but don’t worry about the money. I’ll take care of it.”

  “I have money. Susan paid me quite well, and I haven’t had anything to spend it on other than college.”

  “College? That’s great. I always hated that you didn’t go back after Abby started school.”

  Nothing more was said as Livy pulled into the drive and parked behind the house. “Well, this is it. Shall we go in?”

  As they climbed out of the car, Alex’s blue Impala pulled in behind them. Robyn waited and let them go into the house ahead of her. With her insides ready to jump out of her body, she stepped over the threshold into the lighted kitchen. Everything was exactly the way she’d pictured it all these months. She swayed as memories bombarded her. How many times had she come through that back door and smelled cookies or bread baking in the oven and yelled, “Mom, I’m home!”

  “Kate, I want you to meet my friend, Sharon Arnold.”

  Robyn snapped her attention back to the present. She bobbed her head, schooling her voice to sound like the Virginia dialect she’d perfected. “Pleased to meet you, Kate.”

  That felt strange, calling her mother by her given name. Very strange. Her mother looked good. Hair a little grayer, but she still stood straight, and peace reigned in her face, as it always had.

  “Livy says you’ll be here for a few days.”

  “Yes ma’am.” She tried to catch the words, but it was too late. In Virginia, most of the women her age didn’t say “yes ma’am” or “no ma’am.” Hopefully, her mother wouldn’t know that.

  “Manners too.” Kate smiled.

  Robyn breathed a little easier. But then she realized she needed to ask about the cost. “Uh, Livy didn’t say how much your nightly rate was—”

  “Livy also said you didn’t have a job, so why don’t we wait and see what you can pay. Right now I don’t have any paying guests other than Alex, and if you’re willing to help out around here, there’ll be no charge.”

  “Th-thank you.” Robyn’s heart swelled. Her mom had not changed one bit, always ready to extend a helping hand.

  “Nothing to thank me for. Let me show you where you’ll be staying. It was my daughter’s room before she married.”

  Robyn almost couldn’t get her feet to move. She would be staying in her old room? She glanced sidelong at Kate. Did she know? She didn’t appear to. She followed her mother up the stairs to the room she’d grown up in.

  “There’s nothing fancy here, but I think you’ll be comfortable.”

  Kate stepped back, and Robyn entered her old room.

  “Thank you.” She set her suitcase down, remembering when her mom had changed the room from purple walls and posters of the Backstreet Boys into something out of Country Living. She ran her hand over the white eyelet bedspread that covered the four-poster cherry bed. The bedspread had been added since she’d been gone. She tried to think like someone who had never seen the house. “It’s beautiful. From what I’ve seen, you have a lovely home.”

  “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay with us. My husband should be in soon. He’s helping our son-in-law get his tractor ready for spring.”

  Something Chase’s uncle always did. She almost blurted out something about Jonathan. She shouldn’t have come here. There was too much to trip her up. And just being with her mother and not saying who she was made her heart ache.

  “How did you and Livy meet?”

  “Through a mutual friend. Susan Carpenter.” Too late, Robyn realized that wasn’t their cover story. “Actually, we went to college together, and lost touch. But Susan brought us back together.”

  “Yes, my granddaughter, Abby, was telling us about meeting her in the park. Something about a hawk.”

  Abby. None of them had considered that she might remember the name Robyn used. Now she understood the meaning of weaving a tangled web. She would have to avoid her daughter, and that brought more heaviness to her chest. She’d so looked forward to at least being around Abby.

  “We’ll talk more at supper. Oh, and Abby will be joining us. Her dad as well, if he and Charlie get finished with the tractor.”

  Again, Robyn tried to think of what a stranger would ask or say. “Does she live nearby?”

  “The farm next to us. She uses an old lane that connects the two places and will ride over on her four-wheeler if it isn’t raining.”

  When did Abby get a four-wheeler? Was Chase out of his mind? She wasn’t big enough to handle one of those machines. “Aren’t those things dangerous?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  “That’s my sentiment exactly. She’s not afraid of anything, and her daddy lets her do far more than I think he should. But at least the four-wheeler has a good headlight, and it is a short distance.” Kate turned to leave. “Supper is at six.”

  “I may not come down. My head is killing me, and I’m awfully tired.”

  Her mom stared at her, a slight frown on her face. “My daughter Robyn had headaches. They could lay her quite low sometimes.”

  “I feel for her.” The door creaked as Robyn closed it behind her mother. She sank into the wingback chair in the corner of the room and pressed her hand to her mouth. This was so much harder than she’d envisioned. She didn’t even want to think about going down for supper tonight.

  Alex checked his watch as he came down the stairs. Almost six. And something smelled inviting. Livy and Robyn had disappeared into their bedrooms after they’d come in, and he didn’t know if either of them would be coming down for supper. He hoped Livy did. He wanted to know more about this Mac. Her body language in the diner had piqued his curiosity. She definitely hadn’t been happy with whatever Mac had told her.

  When he entered the kitchen, soup was bubbling on the stove as Kate took a black skillet of golden brown corn bread from the oven. Her granddaughter was busy setting the table. He hadn’t expected Abby back tonight; the child could pose a problem if she mentioned she’d seen Robyn in the park. Did Robyn know she was here? “Good evening, Miss Abby.” He bowed.

  She curtsied. “Evening, Mr. Alex.” She went back to setting the table. “Do you know if Aunt Livy and the new person will be at dinner?”

  “I will,” Livy said from the door. “But I don’t think the other guest is eating. She has a headache.” Livy glanced around. “Kate, what do you want me to do?”

  “How about putting ice in the glasses for the tea.”

  “My mom used to have headaches.”

  Alex winced. Robyn should have picked a different excuse. He needed to see about getting her a furnished apartment. Tomorrow. His cell phone rang, and he unhooked his phone from his belt. Johnny Baxter. Alex had called and left a message that he’d like to take him up on his job offer. He stepped into the hallway to answer. “Hello.”

  Johnny B got to the point right away. “Got your message. Can you start tomorrow at three?”

  “Sure.”

  “Come in half an hour early and we’ll discuss salary.”

  “Sounds like a winner.” Smiling, Alex hung up and went back to the kitchen. “I start my new job tomorrow afternoon.”

  Livy set a glass down. “Really? That was fast.” She turned to Abby. “How was school today?”

  Her thin shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Okay. TJ Logan asked me if I’d sit with him at our class party on Valentine’s Day.”

  Livy put her hand on her hip. “You’re too young to be thinking about parties with boys.”

/>   “Oh, Aunt Livy, it’s not like that—it’s school. He just wants me to sit with him. Besides, I’m almost eleven.”

  “Not until next summer,” Kate said.

  Alex hid his smile. He totally agreed with Livy and Kate. Kids grew up too fast these days.

  “Mr. Alex, are you going to give Aunt Livy a valentine?”

  “Abby!” Livy’s face lit up like a red balloon.

  “I bet she’ll get a lot of valentines,” Alex said.

  Abby rolled her eyes. “I don’t think so. She doesn’t have any boyfriends.” She looked up at Alex. “You do like her, don’t you?”

  Heat crawled up his neck. He was pretty sure he and Livy matched now. “Ah, yeah, sure.”

  She nodded, satisfied. “That’s what I thought. So have you thought about what you’re going to give her? She doesn’t like flowers, you know.”

  “Abby Martin!” Livy’s mouth opened and closed. “You stop this nonsense right now.”

  “I thought I might give her a goldfish.” He enjoyed seeing Livy flustered. “How about if I take her up in my airplane?”

  “That’s better.” Abby cut her eyes toward Livy. “But a nice dinner would be more romantic.”

  “Abby.” Kate’s voice held a warning. “That’s enough.”

  She ducked her head. “Yes ma’am.”

  Alex heard the girl mutter something under her breath when she passed him. He could have sworn she said she was just trying to help.

  Kate cleared her throat. “It doesn’t look as though Chase and my Charlie are going to make it, so let’s say the blessing, and then you can fill up your bowl with soup, and there’s salad on the table.”

  Once again, Kate’s prayer was like a one-sided conversation with God, then the dinner table was quiet as everyone enjoyed the hearty beef soup and corn bread. When they’d all finished, Kate set a bowl of banana pudding on the table, and Alex suppressed a groan. If he stayed here much longer, he’d gain ten pounds.

  Kate turned to Livy. “Have you checked your email?”

  “I haven’t had time.”

  “Well, you probably have another message from your dad, like I did. He said he would see us real soon.”

  “Did he say why?”

  Something in Livy’s tone made him look up. Her facial expression mirrored how he’d feel if he discovered his father was coming.

  “No. Just that he definitely was coming.”

  “I wouldn’t plan the reunion meal just yet. He’ll probably cancel.”

  “Livy.” Kate’s voice held a mild reproach before she turned to Abby. “Get your jacket, and I’ll run you home. It’s too cold and dark for you to go home on the four-wheeler.”

  “I’ll clear the table while you’re gone and dry the dishes in the sink,” Livy said. She picked up the drying towel.

  “And I’ll help.” Alex winked when Abby shot him a look of approval.

  After they left, he stacked the bowls. “Abby is quite the little matchmaker.”

  She pointed her finger at him. “You shouldn’t encourage her.”

  “I think she had a pretty good idea. Do you really not like flowers?”

  Livy shrugged. “I like roses.”

  He nodded his approval. “When is Valentine’s Day, anyway?” When she stared at him, he said, “I know it’s February 14, but what day is that?”

  “Well, this is the seventh, so Valentine’s is next Friday.” She picked up a pan on the stove.

  “Okay. How about it? Dinner, maybe dancing, Friday night?” She hesitated and he said, “Or are you going out with Mac that night?”

  “No. I’m going to a wedding. Ben’s—remember?” She set the pan down with a thud. “But why would you think I was going out with him? Mac and I were partners. That’s all.”

  Relief surprised him as he held his hands up in a defensive action. “Sorry. There just seemed to be a lot of intensity between you two this afternoon at the diner.”

  Livy pinched the bridge of her nose. “No need to be sorry. It’s not your fault. It wasn’t the best meeting I’ve had with him.” She threw the dish towel on the counter. “I need some fresh air.”

  She hurried out the back door, leaving him with his mouth gaped. She’d freeze to death out there. He’d seen her coat on a hook in the hallway beside his when he’d come downstairs. Alex grabbed both of them and hurried outside after her. She stood shivering under the giant oak that lifted its bare branches to the sky. Tears glistened on her face, and her arms hugged her body.

  “I thought you might need this.” He slipped the coat on her shoulders.

  She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Thanks.”

  Alex shrugged into his coat. “It’s not too bad out here, just misting a little. Want to take a walk?”

  “You don’t have to do this.” She stared at the ground.

  He glanced down at her, and his heart caught. She had no idea how vulnerable or beautiful she looked. He ducked his head where he could see her eyes. “What if I want to?”

  A small smile tugged at her lips. “Thank you.”

  They walked for a few minutes in silence under the overhead lights that lined the drive. He glanced down at her. “Did Mac bring bad news?”

  She nodded. “He’s leaving Memphis.”

  “Wow, that is hard. Any particular reason?”

  Her chin quivered, and she pressed her lips together. “Me, partly.”

  “You? How could you—”

  “I had his back, and I froze, and he was shot.”

  “When?”

  “Monday.”

  “Wait a minute. How could he have been shot Monday and look fine today?”

  “He had his vest on, but it caused an arrhythmia and his ex-wife came to the hospital and now they’re getting back together and moving to Atlanta because she doesn’t want him to be a cop.”

  “Whoa—slow down a second. Let me process that.” Mac might not have had a romantic interest in his partner, but Alex wasn’t sure Livy could say the same. “So you think it’s your fault that he’s quitting the force?”

  She nodded.

  “That doesn’t make sense. If he was still in love with his ex-wife, it was only a matter of time before he figured out what he wanted.”

  “He didn’t want to be partners with me anymore.”

  Her whispered words fell into the silence of the night. That was the real problem. He could think of nothing to refute her words, so he remained quiet.

  “That’s why I took a leave of absence. I have to figure out if I can be a cop.”

  “Ben says you’re a good cop.”

  “You’ve been talking to Ben about me?”

  “No, it just came up.”

  “I used to be a good cop, but . . .”

  “But?”

  She sucked in a breath and slowly let it out. “I killed a seventeen-year-old boy in December. He’d just robbed a convenience store with a toy pellet gun. But I didn’t know it was a toy. I told him to put it on the ground, but he didn’t. Then he raised his arm with the gun in his hand. I don’t know why he did that.” She closed her eyes. “I was cleared of any wrongdoing, but I can’t put it behind me. That’s what made me freeze the other day with Mac. And again at the shooting range. I failed my shoot/no-shoot test.”

  “Aw, Livy, that’s tough.” He’d never even shot at anyone, much less killed a person, so he couldn’t say he knew how she felt. But he did know what it was like to fail. Maybe that was the real reason he resisted taking the bar exam—he didn’t want to fail and see the disappointment in his father’s eyes. His heart ached for her as he took in her slumped shoulders and the hurt radiating off her body. “Give yourself a little time.”

  “Yeah, that’s what everyone keeps saying. But while I’m trying to get my head together, no one wants to be my partner. And I can understand since I’m not sure I’d want to be my partner.”

  Alex stopped in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Cut yourself some slack. You wer
e only doing your job when the boy was killed. It wasn’t a mistake. This bad time in your life will pass—everything does, good or bad. And until then, I would be honored to be your partner.”

  Her eyes searched his face. “You would?”

  “Yes ma’am,” he said and was rewarded with a tremulous smile. He didn’t understand how Livy had gotten through the barrier he’d built around his heart, but somehow she had. Maybe it was because she wasn’t from Texas, so she didn’t know anything about his family’s background or their wealth and social position. Unlike most of the women he dated, she had no ulterior motives.

  A quarter-sized snowflake landed on her cheek, then another. Her blue eyes widened. “It’s snowing.” Wonder filled her voice. They looked up, and thousands of flakes swirled through the air. “We haven’t had snowflakes this big in years.”

  “See if you can catch one.” He stuck his tongue out, and a snowflake landed on it, wet and cold.

  She held her arms out and turned her face up to the sky. “It’s like we’re in a snow globe.”

  Laughter danced in her eyes and then bubbled from her lips, and Alex laughed with her. Livy’s childlike joy spread to him, and for a few minutes, he forgot the case, he even forgot his grandfather’s ultimatum. The spirit within him soared, and he grabbed her hands and swung her around as the flakes swirled. Briefly, they danced to the music of the silent night, the flakes adorning her hair like diamonds.

  Livy whirled around. “Race you to the house!” She took off running, and he ran after her, catching her near the light pole beside the old oak. She hooked her arm in his, and they walked toward the back door.

  “You’re pretty fast,” he said.

  She butted him with her shoulder. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Alex swung around in front of her again. “Wow. A compliment from the lady who never gives them.”

  She stopped and looked up at him, her blue eyes luminous in the shadowy light. She made him feel like he could do anything, even hang the moon. Snow continued to surround them, muting all sound except for the beating of his heart. Livy leaned in to him as he trailed his finger down her cheek, the touch sending shivers to his heart.