by Karen Kirst
He pointed to the Plum Café on the opposite side of the street. “First I have to fulfill my promise. I told Eli I’d treat him to a slice of pie.”
Her raven brows hit her hairline. “Before the noon meal?”
“It won’t hurt this once. A big glass of milk will balance it out.”
Eli slipped his hand in Isabel’s. “Can we go, Isa?”
“I’m not sure...”
Eli bounced on his tiptoes. “Please?”
“Fine. You win.” She tapped his nose. “Dessert before lunch it is.”
As they crossed the street, folks greeted them with frank curiosity. Ben knew they looked like a normal family. Mother, father and child out running errands. If only he could offer Isabel a shot at a normal life. The regret he’d wrestled with for six years threatened to smother him.
I thought I’d laid these dreams to rest years ago, Lord.
The last few weeks in Isabel and Eli’s company had taught him his error.
I thought I had finally accepted my solitary path. Like the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians, I’ve learned to be content no matter the circumstances. But Isabel has caused me to feel things I’ve never felt. She’s special, Lord. But then, I don’t have to tell You that.
The Plum Café was a cheerful space. The sunlight-yellow curtains and tablecloths, anchored by green glass lamps, lent the dining room a springlike air. The new look was Ellie Copeland’s doing. The pregnant widow, hired to fill the cook’s position, had altered more than just the café. She’d transformed the reclusive owner, too. Now she and Alexander were ensconced in wedded bliss and hopefully enjoying their visit to his family’s Texas ranch.
Ben looked forward to their safe return. Ellie’s baby was due in March, and he worried about how such a daunting journey might affect her. Of course, Alexander was devoted to his wife’s well-being and couldn’t wait to be a father. He’d indicated they would make multiple stops along the way to give her a chance to rest.
“Good morning, Ben.” Sally Hatcher, the waitress he’d had a not-quite relationship with, greeted him with a breezy smile. A new beau had erased any lingering pique she might feel. “Your usual table is occupied.”
His old habit of flattery and teasing didn’t come as naturally as it used to. Maybe because he was wrapped up in hopeless longing for the woman at his side?
“That’s all right, Sally. How about that table beside the fireplace?” He nodded to the far corner.
“It’s all yours.”
About half the tables were occupied by folks lingering over a late breakfast. They watched Ben, Isabel and Eli with the same interest Sally displayed. He supposed the sight of Gatlinburg’s most determined bachelor and headstrong spinster would arouse questions. Seemed to him it’d be obvious that Eli was the reason for their continued association.
Blond braids swaying, Sally brought the adults coffee and a glass of milk for Eli. Soon, hefty slices of Christmas cake were set before them. Studded with almonds and dried fruit, the cake was as colorful as an ornamented tree.
Ben lifted his fork. “With Ellie out of town, who’s doing the baking?”
“Jane and Jessica.”
“And how’s Flo doing with the rest of the meals?”
“Not so bad. Alexander hired someone to help out.” She blew her bangs out of her eyes. “So far, no one’s complaining.” Sally shifted her attention to Isabel. “How’s your cake? Need more cream for that coffee?”
Isabel had been pensive since their arrival. She smiled and shook her head. “No cream, thank you. And the cake’s delicious.”
“Mine’s delishush, too,” Eli announced, some of it smeared atop his upper lip.
Isabel’s tension melted as they shared a laugh. The door opened, letting in a waft of frigid air, and Sally went to greet the customers. Feminine voices drifted ever closer. When Isabel frowned, Ben twisted in his seat and saw Lynette and Laila Smith bearing down on them.
The sisters stationed themselves at his elbow. They wore matching black coats with fluffy ermine collars and bonnets boasting white and black feathers tucked beneath a wide swath of red ribbon. Their almond-shaped eyes blasted him with reproach.
Laila swatted his arm. “Ben MacGregor, you’ve been a naughty man.”
Lynette bobbed her head with such force her feathers flapped like wings in the breeze. “It isn’t like you to neglect your obligations.” Her hazel gaze slid to Isabel and Eli, cool disdain gracing her features.
Isabel’s expression was devoid of emotion. In the chair beside her, Eli chewed more slowly, his eyes big in his face.
Ben wiped his mouth with his napkin. “You’ll have to remind me what it is I’ve done.”
“It’s what you haven’t done.” Laila’s chin jutted. “It wounds me that you’ve forgotten our Sunday evening ritual.”
“It wounds me, too, dear sister.” Lynette placed her gloved hand atop Laila’s. “I’m certain the good deputy has a perfectly good excuse.”
They looked at him in expectation. He realized they were waiting for him to charm his way into their good graces. They’d be waiting a long time.
“I admit our traditional game night escaped my attention. As you’re no doubt aware, the past few weeks have kept me busy. I hope you’ll accept my deepest apology.”
They exchanged perplexed glances. “Of course we understand the burden that’s been placed upon you,” Laila rushed out. “We will be patient until you can resume your social activities.”
“Ladies, I’m afraid our weekly visits must come to an end.”
The color drained from Laila’s cheeks. “Surely not!”
“We didn’t intend to back you into a corner.” Lynette sputtered. “Is this your doing, Miss Flores?”
“Absolutely not—”
“Oh, but it is,” Ben smoothly inserted, folding his arms over his chest. “I have you to thank for my new approach to bachelorhood, remember?”
Isabel gasped. “Me? What have I to do with your marital status?”
His gaze bounced between the sisters. “Isabel opened my eyes to the fact that, despite my stated intentions, I’ve given Gatlinburg’s eligible ladies the wrong impression.” Sensing their disbelief, he hung his head. “I may as well make an announcement.” Pushing his chair back, he stood and addressed the room’s occupants. “Ladies and gentlemen, let it be known that the Debonair Deputy is no more. I’m a committed bachelor. It’s time I started living like one.”
The occupants’ reactions ranged from humorous incredulity to approval. What he hadn’t expected was for his announcement to cause anyone to swoon. Laila’s eyes rolled back in her head and, if it weren’t for Lynette’s quick thinking, she would’ve hit the floor in a dead faint.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I can’t believe you caused a girl to swoon.” Grant’s eyes danced with laughter. “I mean, I knew girls were apt to act a tad daft around you, but this takes the cake.”
“I’m not to blame here. I can hardly be expected to control a lady’s constitution.”
He scraped his hand along his jaw. “Noted. But I can’t imagine this went over well with Isabel.”
Blaze shifted beneath Ben, and he smoothed his hand along his neck. They’d been waiting in this copse near the abandoned hunter’s shack for ten minutes, and both he and his horse were raring to get moving. Ben was determined to search out every cove, every mountainside homestead in his quest for answers. Someone had to have seen Harry Howell, maybe even befriended him. The number of locals who eschewed town life was adequate enough to prove daunting. It was a challenge not to let this task, akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, overwhelm him.
“Isabel didn’t stick around long enough for me ascertain her state of mind.”
Ben had leaped into action the moment Laila went do
wn, calling for damp cloths and removing his jacket to form a pillow for her head. By the time he’d gotten her settled in a chair with a bracing cup of tea, Isabel and Eli were gone.
Grant guided his horse closer. “You’re aware of what your announcement will lead people to believe, I presume.”
“That I’m sticking with my convictions?”
“Nope. That you’re besotted with Isabel and playing pa with Eli has finally won over the resolute deputy.”
A bright red cardinal and his mate alighted on a branch near Ben’s head. He shifted his gaze from the birds to the surrounding forest when the sound of hooves striking the hard earth registered through the trees. It gave Ben an excuse to ignore his friend’s theory, which struck far too close to his heart’s secret desire.
“Who exactly have we been waiting on, Parker?”
“See for yourself.”
As the riders neared, he recognized them as members of the O’Malley clan, both born and married in. Brothers Josh, Nathan and Caleb. Their father, Sam. Lucian Beaumont, Megan’s husband. Evan Harrison, husband of Juliana. Originally from the neighboring community of Cades Cove, Evan had moved his wife and kids to Gatlinburg last year so they could be close to her family. Former barbershop owner Tom Leighton, who was married to Jessica’s twin sister, Jane. The only one missing was Nicole’s husband, Quinn.
When they’d all exchanged greetings, Ben lifted his hand. “Thank you for coming.” He spoke around a knot of gratitude. There was no question that the law-abiding citizens of Gatlinburg loved and supported their sheriff, Shane Timmons. To have that same level of support directed at him was humbling.
His mount positioned near the front of the group, Evan tugged his black Stetson lower over his eyes. “Grant told us about your case. We’re happy to help.”
“He threatened us with bodily harm if we didn’t keep our traps shut.” Nathan grinned, his teeth flashing white.
Caleb spoke up. “To be more precise, brother, he threated to sic our wives on us.”
Josh shrugged. “Same thing.”
The men shared a few chuckles. Grant snagged Ben’s gaze. “Hope you don’t mind their involvement. We needed more men, and you can count on them to be discreet.”
“I’m grateful.” He swept his arm in a wide arc. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Your assistance is going to make my job easier.”
He removed the photograph from his satchel and passed it around. “Harry was maybe fifteen or sixteen at the time this was taken. He will have matured, but the identifying scar above his right eyebrow should be visible.”
When they’d all had a chance to view it, Lucian whirled his horse around. “Let’s go knock on some doors, gentlemen.”
They split up into pairs, leaving an odd man. Sam O’Malley chose to ride along with Josh and Caleb. After agreeing to a meeting time and location, they spread out in different directions. Ben and Grant took the southeast trail leading away from town. They visited numerous households. Some folks were helpful, others openly hostile. No one admitted knowing Harry.
It was nearing one o’clock when he and Grant ate their packed lunch on the lane’s edge. The sun’s warmth helped dispel some of early winter’s grip.
Grant tossed his apple core to the ground. “I didn’t get the sense that anyone was lying, did you?”
“No.”
“Maybe the others are having better results.”
Ben chewed the fresh-baked bread and ham Jessica had provided but didn’t register the taste. Isabel was counting on him to find Harry so she could proceed with the guardianship. He wanted answers for her and Eli. That way they could celebrate Christmas free of worry.
Grant took a long draw on his canteen. Finished with his meal, Ben refolded the handkerchief and handed it to Grant.
“Thank your wife for the food.”
“Will do.”
They continued on their journey, traveling deeper into the mountains. By late afternoon, the cold stiffening his joints was matched by his disappointment.
“Let’s call it a day,” he told Grant.
A half mile from their meeting place, Evan and Caleb intercepted them.
“There’s something you’ll want to see, Deputy.” A reserved man, Evan kept his opinions close to his vest. Today was no exception. Ben couldn’t decipher if their discovery was good or bad. Caleb had already redirected his horse, so he was no help.
Grant shrugged and uttered a succinct command to his horse. They followed Evan and Caleb onto a rutted track that in summer would be overgrown with brush and weeds. Up ahead, Lucian and Nathan appeared to be standing guard over something while Sam and Josh remained astride their horses. Tom scouted out the area beyond them.
It soon became clear the men were guarding someone, not something. And that someone was sprawled on canvas-type bedding, weaving between sleep and wakefulness. Even without the empty whiskey bottle lying a few feet away, it wouldn’t have taken great detective work to figure out the man was skunked. He reeked of alcohol.
Ben crouched on one side, Grant on the other.
“Looks like our man,” he said.
“A dirtier, scruffier version,” Ben agreed, eyeing the hatless drunkard’s unkempt hair and beard. There, clear as day, was the distinctive scar. They’d found Eli’s guardian.
Reaching over, he jostled the man’s shoulder. “Hello, Harry.”
* * *
Christmas was in five days, and Isabel and her sisters, along with an ebullient Eli, were finally getting around to decorating a tree. As when they’d hung the evergreens, they were doing it without Ben, even though Eli asked about him every ten minutes and his absence depleted some of the joy from the experience. With each passing day, another piece of her heart was claimed by the lawman. She thought about him every moment he wasn’t with her. And when he was around, she could hardly concentrate on anything besides him.
She thrust the needle through another piece of popcorn and poked her finger. Wincing, she sucked on the sore spot. Is this what falling in love feels like?
The renegade thought slammed into her. “Surely not.”
“Surely not what?” On the opposite end of the sofa, Honor was assisting Eli with the cranberries.
“Never mind.”
Carmen was returning with more popcorn when she veered toward one of the windows. “Someone’s coming.”
Isabel glanced at the mantel clock. “Are you expecting a visit from John this morning?”
Honor shook her head. “He didn’t mention anything. Can you make out who it is?”
Clapping her hands together, Carmen whirled and grinned at Isabel. “It’s the deputy.”
“Ben’s here?” Eli popped up and ran to the window, going on his tiptoes to try to see out.
Despite her racing heart, Isabel restrained herself from doing the same. Yesterday’s scene at the café ran through her mind again. He hadn’t needed to make a public announcement. He’d done it for her sake. To convince her he’d reformed? Or to remind her his commitment to bachelorhood was as strong as ever?
His familiar stride resounded on the porch, followed by a succinct rap. Isabel let Carmen and Eli greet him like lovesick puppies. She pretended to be preoccupied with her task.
“Ben!” From the corner of her eye, she saw Eli hold his arms aloft. “Are you here to help?”
Ben boosted him into his arms and followed the direction of Eli’s pointing finger. “That’s a mighty fine tree, little man. I’d love to help you, but I have important business to tend to.”
Eli’s lips pursed. “Deputy business?”
“That’s right.”
Ben’s gaze settled on her, glowing with appreciation as he assessed her appearance. Isabel touched a finger to the paste jewel pin above her ear. She’d skipped the usual woven braid and o
pted to leave her long tresses free, held back on either side with matching hairpins. While her navy vest and accompanying white blouse weren’t new, they fit her like a glove, and the pearl buttons added a feminine flair.
“Isabel.” He cleared his throat and shifted Eli to his opposite side. “I need you to come with me.”
His somber manner registered. Her stomach fell to her toes.
Eli placed his flattened palm on Ben’s cheek. His easy way with the lawman tugged on her heartstrings. Isabel wouldn’t be the only one who’d miss Ben once he withdrew from their life. And he would.
“Can I go, too?” Eli said.
Ben’s smile was strained. “I wish you could, but Isabel and I have some adult matters to tend to.”
Carmen held out her hands. “And Honor and I can’t finish this tree without you.”
He willingly went to her, his arms fastening around her neck.
Isabel set her things aside and, joining Ben at the door, put on her gloves and cloak. She bade her sisters goodbye and dropped a swift kiss on Eli’s cheek, then accompanied Ben out into the bright day.
Blaze turned his head as if to appraise them, golden tail twitching.
“Where are we going?”
He lifted his hat off his head and ran his fingers through his short fiery locks. “We located Harry yesterday. He’s currently cooling his heels in my jail.”
“What? Where? Why am I just now finding out about it?”
He grimaced. “He wasn’t in a state to be interviewed yesterday.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He was foxed, Isa. After leaving the Plum, Grant and I, with help from the O’Malley clan, searched the mountains. We’d just about given up when we stumbled across his campsite. He was sprawled on the ground, oblivious to the world.”
Isabel covered her mouth. What kind of man had been taking care of Eli?
He gripped her shoulders. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, all right? I haven’t pressed him for details. I wanted to wait so we could question him together.”