by Aimée Thurlo
“That’s okay. I take credit cards.”
“I took a pair of scissors to mine months ago.”
“No problem. We’ll come to terms we can both agree on. Don’t give it another thought.”
His answer surprised her. It was certainly not what she’d expected him to say. Maybe in this sparsely populated area, working out terms of payment was a routine he’d grown accustomed to, something he took in stride.
He lifted the hood and checked inside for a full fortyfive minutes, poking and prodding. He removed the battery and replaced it with a spare he had in his truck. “Would you try the ignition and see if it’ll turn over while I try some things under the hood? Leave your foot off the gas.”
Lanie did as he asked, but the battery wore down quickly without any results. Finally, Charley mumbled under his breath and slammed the hood shut. “You’ve been pushing this car pretty hard from the looks of it. Where you headed?”
Lanie shrugged. “Down the road.” As the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Now there would be barrage of well-meaning questions and maybe even advice about women traveling alone. To her surprise, neither happened. A hooded look came over Charley’s eyes, and he glanced away.
“You’ll have to ride with me,” he said, hooking up the sedan to the tow truck. “Your car is going nowhere on its own power. Not until you get a new battery, fuel pump, plugs and distributor cap, and maybe even a rebuilt carburetor.”
Dismayed, she got into the truck and, as the miles stretched out before them, Lanie glanced back at the way they’d come. The highway was empty except for one dust-colored van just coming over a hill. Ahead of them, a stretch of vacant road wound into the hills.
“How long will it take for my car to be fixed?”
“Depends. Everything except the battery and plugs will have to be shipped in. I don’t carry that many spare parts in stock. Costs too much, and people in Four Winds can usually catch a ride for a few days while they’re waiting. Everything has to come in either by bus or U.S. mail. Shipping is expensive, and some distributors don’t like messing with the schedules. I figure you should plan on staying at least a week, maybe more.”
“Are there any campsites near town?”
He shook his head. “Just houses and private property. You’d be better off getting a room at Marlee’s. She runs the boardinghouse and charges reasonable rates. I stayed there myself a few years back.”
“Is that how long you’ve lived here?”
Charley’s expression grew distant, and instead of answering her, he glanced out the window. “Her rooms are small, but really affordable. And the rates include kitchen privileges.”
Though he’d evaded her question, she didn’t press. She also didn’t ask what “affordable” meant. First things first. “What’s the repair on the car going to cost me?”
“My guess is about three hundred, including labor.”
That cinched it. It looked as if she’d be in Four Winds for a while. She would have to get a job somewhere in order to earn enough cash to pay for the repairs and replenish her funds.
As they entered town, Lanie realized again just how small it was. Main Street was only a few blocks long. Unlike city stores that were bunched together, each business was housed in a separate building edged by a thin strip of land. Storefronts were brightly painted. The sun shone on doorways and windows trimmed with that vivid shade of blue seen all over the Southwest. That color was said to keep the evil spirits away.
Once they arrived at the garage, Lanie went into the rest room to clean up, although she suspected the charred smell would never come out of her clothes. Everything, including the upholstery of her car, was probably permeated with it. For now, it looked like that would be something else she’d have to learn to live with.
As she had so many other times in the past few weeks, she questioned the wisdom of having quit her teaching job. She missed her students and the challenges of the classroom. If only she could have had a second chance, she would have done things differently. As it was, Lanie knew she’d never teach again.
She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to replenish her energy and drive the memories away. She needed to come up with a plan. The last thing she’d expected was for her car to break down. It had never failed her before, and in fact, last time she’d had it checked, they’d told her everything was okay. Having it break down now, with no previous warning, seemed strange. Of course, she’d put a lot of miles on it since then.
Lanie placed the lavatory keys back on their hook, then left the garage. Charley already had his head back under the hood, working on her car. “I’m going to find a room. I’ll be back for my things later on. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Take your time. Marlee’s place is on up the road a ways. Just keep going straight until you see an adobe home surrounded by piñon pines.
Lanie walked down the street, looking around and trying to orient herself. It was only five-thirty, but everything appeared closed except for a diner. No cars were moving, though there were a few parked along the curb. The only sound she could hear was that of the wind rustling the leaves of an old aspen outside the library a few doors down. As she looked at the adobe building, clearly marked Four Winds Public Library, she smiled. It looked prim and proper in comparison to the Old West, false-fronted construction of most of the other buildings.
As Lanie approached the diner along the weather beaten, uneven sidewalk, she caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye. Farther down the street, on the same side as the diner, she saw someone getting out of a beat-up, dust-colored van. She couldn’t see the driver, just his outline. She wondered if it was the same person who’d been behind them on the highway.
The alluring scent of fried sopaipillas wafting through the diner’s open window distracted her. She was famished.
Lanie hesitated for a moment, tempted to eat before going to Marlee’s boardinghouse. Before she could make up her mind, a slim blonde wearing jeans and an apron glanced through the window and waved. “Come in, hon.” The blonde went to the screen door and held it open for Lanie. “Just have a seat anywhere.”
Lanie went inside. Several small wooden tables covered with gingham tablecloths were in the process of being cleared, though there were still a few tables with customers quietly enjoying their meals. It appeared that people in Four Winds ate early.
“You’re the lady who was caught in the fire, aren’t you?” When Lanie nodded, she continued. “I’m Sally, I own this place. You just relax now. You’ve been through enough for one day.”
Lanie nodded, introduced herself and chose a stool at the counter. It wasn’t surprising that Sally knew all about her though they’d only just met. In a town this size, news would travel fast. She glanced at the menu and ordered a sandwich to go. “I still have to go find a room,” she explained, “but I was just too hungry to wait.”
Sally came back with a huge platter of enchiladas. Massive tortillas smothered with chicken, cheese and green chili filled the plate. “Here you go. Forget takeout for tonight. Relax and eat, it’s on the house. Think of this as one of many ways Four Winds is going to change the way your luck’s been running. Happens that way for a lot of us.” She paused and smiled. “Well, come to think of it, you did have one bit of great luck already.”
Lanie glanced at her quizzically, savoring the delicious enchilada. “What?”
“You got close to Gabriel, honey.” Sally laughed. “The three Blackhorse brothers sure can make a woman’s pulse race, I’ll tell you.”
“I’ve only met the sheriff.”
“You’ll meet the others sooner or later. Gabriel and Lucas, the two oldest, are scrappers. Those two don’t know how to back down from a fight. Men step aside when they come into the room. But one smile from either one of them, and you can hear women’s hearts beating faster all around the room.”
Lanie said nothing, though she doubted any smile could have the impact Gabriel’s did.
“Some say Josh
ua, the youngest, is the handsomest,” Sally continued, “but I don’t know about that. He’s certainly the gentlest, though bigger and stronger than his two brothers. As far as I know, he’s never so much as raised his voice to anyone. Of course, no one’s ever been fool enough to get him riled.” Sally smiled. “If was ten years younger, I’d risk a few flames for the chance to be carried off in the arms of one of the Blackhorse brothers.”
The outrageous statement made Lanie laugh. “As I said, Gabriel is the only one I’ve met, but I can certainly understand women’s reactions to him.”
“He’s also a good sheriff, you know. According to the ones who lived here awhile, he’s even better than his father, who was sheriff before him.”
“So you’re not a native?” Lanie asked, making small talk.
A guarded look came over Sally’s eyes, and to Lanie’s surprise, her friendliness seemed to cool considerably. “Nope.” Sally moved over to a nearby table, freshening the iced tea of a customer.
As it had been with Charley, talk about the past seemed to be definitely off-limits with Sally. Lanie began to wonder if that was going to be a trend in Four Winds.
As Sally stepped through the half doors leading to the kitchen, Lanie saw a teenager inside, washing pots and pans. Sally’s voice was stern as she admonished the boy for making too much of a mess.
Lanie had meant to ask about a job, anything from waitressing to cleaning, but the opportunity had suddenly come and gone. She’d be better off waiting and asking Sally another time. As Lanie finished the last of her food, she fought back the intense weariness stealing over her. Her body ached, and she was having a hard time staying alert. She needed to get some sleep. and soon.
Chapter Three
Lanie turned and saw a familiar Jeep with official markings and flashers on the top. A moment later, Gabriel pulled up and opened the passenger’s door.
“You look beat. Want a ride to Marlee’s?”
She hesitated. He’d done enough; it didn’t feel right to keep accepting his help, though it would sure come in handy right now.
“Come on. Don’t be so squirrelly. We’re past that, you and I.”
His smile was as devastating as she remembered, and she felt a thrill course through her. “Okay, but since all my clothes are still inside my car, and I’m not sure when Charley closes, how about taking me there first. Then I can take my things to Marlee’s at the same time.”
“No problem.”
Ten minutes later, with her clothes boxes in the back of his Jeep, they were on their way to Marlee’s.
“I’m going to have to find some work here to pay for lodging and the car repairs. Do you happen to know if anyone in town is hiring?”
“For starters, Marlee might be willing to strike up a deal with you,” he said. “She broke her leg about two weeks ago, and she can’t get around too easily. She may be willing to give you free board in exchange for some help around the house.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the tip.” She smiled ruefully. “Of course, it’s to your advantage, too. I’m sure you don’t want a deadbeat hanging around your town.”
He never cracked a smile. “One thing you’ll learn soon enough is that people here work together and help each other out. Who knows, you may even end up deciding to stay. It wouldn’t be the first time. This is a special place, believe me. Not many leave for good after they’ve lived here awhile.”
There was something about the way he said it that made her extremely nervous. She didn’t want to like it here; she wanted to leave as soon as possible. She needed to keep moving, and not look back. She had no ties to anyone and belonged nowhere, at least not anymore. And that’s the way she wanted to keep it.
“You said you were a teacher,” Gabriel said. “The town’s been looking for a substitute teacher for quite some time. Your skills would come in handy here. Are you qualified to teach history?”
“Among other subjects,” she answered slowly.
“And you have references?”
“Excellent ones, but I’m not interested in a teaching post. Not now, not ever.” She refused to meet his eyes.
“It’s only a substitute job, not a permanent thing. And it would pay pretty well,” he urged.
“No, thanks.” Her tone was cold and final.
“Okay.” Gabriel shrugged. It might not make sense to him, but it was really none of his business.
As he parked in front of the boardinghouse, his radio crackled to life. She couldn’t make out a word, though Gabriel seemed to understand everything despite the static.
“I need to get over to the mayor’s house,” he said, quickly unloading her belongings from the back. “I’ll give you a hand taking these inside, then be on my way.”
“I can take care of that. It’s no problem.”
“Okay. See you later, then.”
As he sped away, she glanced up and down the narrow, empty street. What a strange town this was. It was only a little after seven, yet nobody was around. She wondered where everyone went after sundown. After teaching in a city plagued with youth gangs, she found the stillness here uncanny, but welcoming. Yet she couldn’t help feeling there was something odd about the town and the people of Four Winds.
Lanie shook her head, brushing the thought aside. She was exhausted, allowing her imagination to run away with her—that was all. She looked ahead at the brightly lit portal of the adobe boardinghouse. A wooden sign, announcing rooms to rent, hung from two massive wood vigas. Silk orange mums in containers were placed on both sides of the front door, welcoming visitors. Nothing sinister there.
She knocked on the glass storm door, glancing inside as she did. A young woman sitting on the sofa across from a television set waved and said, “Come on in.”
“I’m looking for Marlee,” Lanie said, stepping into the brick-floored living room.
“I’m Marlee. Are you looking for a place to stay?” she asked, not getting up.
Lanie studied the hazel eyes that regarded her. There was a defensive tightening there, a quick, almost reflex action.
“I’m told you’re looking for help with the upkeep here, and that you might be willing to exchange that for room and board.”
“Not board, no, I can’t afford it, but for a room, yes. I’ve got one vacant right now.”
Marlee stood up with effort, the cast on her right leg affecting her movements. As she faced Lanie straight on, the light from the lamp illuminated her face. Lanie saw the scar that ran from her left temple all the way down to her chin.
“Don’t let it bother you,” Marlee said casually, as if used to people’s reactions. “It happened a long time ago, before I came here.” Her voice grew distant. “A lifetime ago.” She shrugged, then focused back on Lanie. “Now tell me, what brings you here to Four Winds?”
“An accident.” She recounted the events.
“A lot of our residents are people who were just passing through at one time or another,” Marlee observed simply. “This town has a lot to offer.”
“Not to me. I’ll be back on the road just as soon as I can.”
“Funny, that’s what I said, too.”
Something about her tone gave Lanie goose bumps. Before she had much of a chance to think about it, Marlee returned to her chair and waved for her to sit down. “What I need is someone to carry laundry, do the shopping and help me with the housework. It’s time-consuming, believe me, and I don’t have much patience with slackers.”
There was a hard edge in her tone, but somehow that harshness didn’t reach her eyes. All Lanie saw reflected there was an ingrained caution about strangers, not cruelty.
A careful look around the room told her even more about Marlee. If the woman was demanding of others, it was simply because she was so demanding with herself. Even now, when getting around was difficult for her, there wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere, nor was anything out of place. The room was immaculate.
“I can handle hard work,” Lanie said, “but I’m going to have to
look for another job in addition to working for you here. I’ll need some money to pay for the repairs to my car, and to cover my other expenses. I’d like to get back on the road as soon as possible.”
“Fair enough,” Marlee answered. “Looks like it’ll be a good arrangement for both of us.” Marlee waved toward the rolltop desk in the corner. “Open that and take the key that’s still on a hook. Your room is just down the hall, second door to the last on your right. I’m sure you’ll like it. It’s got a great big poster bed with a very comfortable mattress.”
At the moment, the description sounded like heaven to her. Lanie found the key. “Is there anything you’d like me to do right away?”
Marlee crinkled her nose. “How about washing those clothes you’re wearing? I hate the smell of smoke. It gets into everything.”
“I haven’t got anything else right now that smells better. All my things were in my car at the time of the fire. Everything got smoked, just like a big camp fire.”
“There’s just you and me here tonight, so you can borrow my bathrobe and walk around in that while your clothes are washing. I only have one full-time boarder right now, besides you.”
“How many rooms do you have here?”
“This is a four-bedroom house, but one of them is my sewing room. I opened up my home as a boardinghouse because I found out I really didn’t like living alone.” Marlee stood up slowly, favoring her leg. “Come on. I’ll get you my robe and some towels.”
“Please, don’t get up,” Lanie said quickly. “Just tell me where they are.”
“No, it’s okay, really. I have to move around every once in a while, or I get really stiff.”
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Lanie was in the shower. Marlee’s bathrobe was draped over the towel rack. The hot water and the clean bathroom equipped with all the amenities reminded her of how wonderful simple conveniences could be. Nothing like a long trip to make her appreciate things she’d once taken for granted. She thought of the past few weeks, all that driving and going nowhere. No matter how far or how fast she’d gone, she had yet to outrun the pain that haunted her. And she knew that until she could find some peace within herself, her journey would not end.