Forever Found

by Allyson Charles

  “And my boy’s told you that isn’t the case. So, you can go now.” Bending, Simon picked up a magazine and flipped it to a crossword puzzle. He pulled a small pencil from behind his ear and turned to the game.

  “Yes, he’s said it.” Gabe stepped forward. “Now I want to hear you say it.”

  He watched his uncle’s face, saw the hatred and disgust that always surfaced when Gabe was near. But when Simon spoke, Gabe didn’t see deception. “I haven’t handled a dog or run a show in almost fifteen years. Not since my brother died. Not since what you did.”

  “Who is then?”

  Simon shrugged.

  Gabe took another step forward until the tip of his boot knocked his uncle’s loafer. “Crook County isn’t large. If someone’s started running fights again, you’d know about it.”

  Simon crushed his beer can and chucked it into the corner of the room. “My brother would be so ashamed of you. It’s a blessing he died when he did. Didn’t have to see you betray your family.”

  Gabe’s stomach twisted. His uncle hated him for putting an end to the fights. Gabe hated himself for waiting so long.

  “There are worse things to betray.” Like common decency. Or an animal’s trust. “It looks like you’re barely scraping by here. You need money?”

  “You offering?” Simon snorted. “You become a big man now, Gabe? You come to lord it over your uncle with how well you’ve done?”

  “No.” But desperation could make a man take up an old business, unheeding of the consequences. Or the hurt it caused.

  Gabe and his uncle glared at each other. Without moving his gaze, Gabe asked, “What about you, Jethro? Have you heard anyone talking about fighting again?”

  The pencil in Simon’s fingers snapped. “You asking my boy to spy on me? See if he’s listened in on my conversations? You’re the only son here who’d betray his father.”

  Gabe’s face went hot, his skin tingling. “I don’t care about your disapproval, old man. I want names.”

  “Pop, tell Gabe you don’t know nothing.” Jethro bounced on his feet, his forehead creased. “And I don’t know anything. Tell him, Pop.”

  Simon cracked his neck. “Like the boy said, I don’t know about any fights. But if I hear anything, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”

  As soon as hell froze over, Gabe was sure. He knew he wouldn’t be getting anything else.

  Without saying goodbye, he escaped from the house. Hands on his hips, he stared up at the stars and breathed in the clean air. Jethro came and stood beside him on the drive.

  “Don’t be like that, Gabe.” Jethro rocked from foot to foot. “Pop and me are all you’ve got left of family. We need to treat each other good. Right?”

  Swallowing past his anger, Gabe squeezed his cousin’s shoulder. “Right. Family.” He blew out a breath and swung a glance back at the dump behind him. “I still have a job in my office if you want. An extra bed for you if you want to get out of here.” Well, a couch now that Dax had taken over his spare bedroom. But he’d make Dax take the couch.

  “Aw, when are you gonna stop asking that?” Jethro kicked at the dirt. “You know I can’t leave Pop.”

  Yeah, Gabe knew. The hold of a father hooked itself deep under a son’s skin and didn’t let go.

  “The offer’s always open.” He nodded goodbye and stalked to his car. Cranking the engine, he reversed the Vellie then swung a hard U-turn.

  He considered whether or not to believe his uncle. Simon wasn’t the only asshole in Crook County. A lot of people had gone to watch the fights he and Gabe’s father had run. A lot of money was made and lost gambling on the dogs. In the decade or so since Gabe’s father’s death, someone else could have easily stepped in to fill the Moretti shoes.

  Gabe squeezed the steering wheel, and the leather creaked. He prayed it was someone else. Going after his family had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. He’d do it again if he had to, but, damn, he didn’t want to. He wanted to forget that side of his family existed. Forget the blood on their hands. The part he’d played.

  He bounced down the drive and thought about other possible suspects. He lived in a small community. Gabe would find the person responsible. And hopefully, this time, his uncle wouldn’t be involved.

  He hit the highway and sped home, never once looking in his rearview mirror.

  Chapter Four

  Marla looked up from a worn copy of I, Robot as a cool breeze from the open door lifted a strand of her hair. Her friend Izzy Lopez stepped into the room, a boxer mix at her side.

  “Marla!” Izzy handed her dog’s leash to a grooming attendant and came over to join her at the small table in the adjoining café. “I didn’t see your car out front.”

  “Maddie and I walked from the library.” It was a lovely evening and the stroll through downtown Clarion Township always helped her unwind. The red brick buildings were shaded with wide awnings, and tendrils of ivy crept over their walls. Years ago, a store owner had brought an elaborately carved door over from Tunisia and installed it at his antique shop. It had drawn attention, and other proprietors had upgraded their own entrances with unique and funky doors. It had become a tradition of sorts, and was one of the charms of Clarion for Marla.

  The walk had almost been pretty enough to get her mind off her humiliation of two days ago. “Join me while our dogs get beautified?” She waved a waitress over.

  “Of course.” Plopping her large boho purse on a chair, Izzy sank into another seat, sighing in relief. “These new heels are killing me.” She glanced enviously at Marla. “If I had your height, I’d walk around barefoot all day.”

  Marla chuckled and ordered another cup of coffee when the waitress approached. “What will you have?” she asked Izzy. “My treat.”

  As Izzy ordered, Marla glanced across the open space to the row of dog baths along the far wall to check on Mad. The Posh Wash & Nosh was a favorite haunt of Marla’s. One side of the space catered to four-legged clients, with full grooming stations. The other side housed a small café where the owners could relax while waiting for their pets to get pampered. Tuscan-style tiles covered the floor, the burnt sienna color a cheerful contrast to the sky-blue walls. Best of all, once a week a manicurist for the humans set up a station so Marla could get her nails trimmed along with her dog’s.

  Maddie’s bath was almost finished, and she stood on a raised platform, rigid as a post, while a groomer blew her hair dry. Maddie liked looking pretty as much as the next girl, but having strangers fuss around her was never easy for the poodle. She’d suffered too much physical abuse as a puppy to enjoy contact from those she didn’t trust. But the employees at Posh Wash had gentle touches, and Maddie left the shop with a prance to her step more often than not.

  Izzy settled back and lifted her stocking-clad legs onto the chair next to her purse. “I’m so glad you told me about this place. Before I got dogs, I never would have believed a dog beauty shop and café was a thing.”

  “Dogs are a big industry,” Marla agreed. “A woman at Golden Acres crochets beautiful hats and sweaters for Maddie and I always thought she should have gone into business selling canine couture. She could make a killing at it.” Mrs. Hansen didn’t need the money, but she liked ‘keeping busy,’ as she called it. So many people at the senior facility seemed to wander about, purposeless, and their plight tugged at Marla’s heart.

  Her grandfather, so far, was lucky. He’d recovered from cancer and had all his faculties. But he’d seen the direction he was headed. Knew that he wouldn’t have been able to climb the stairs in his house much longer or remember all the pills he was supposed to take.

  Marla had tried to talk him out of moving to Golden Acres, insisting she would help whenever he needed it. She’d suggested he move in with her instead. But pride, and his insistence that he not be a burden to her, had made him resolute in his decision. It helped that his b
est friend had decided to move with him. Ric said having other people cook and clean made the cost of the residence facility worth every penny. But Marla suspected he didn’t want his friend to have to go there alone.

  “Well if she needs a space for her new business, let me know,” Izzy said with a wink. “I’m always happy to find someone real estate.”

  Izzy was one of the foremost real estate agents in Crook County, and not only had found Marla her lakeside cabin, but had brokered the rental deal between Marla and Forever Friends. She was also Brad’s significant other.

  “So,” Izzy said, peering down at the large canvas sack by Marla’s feet, “what did you get at the library?”

  “Only this book for myself.” She opened her bag wide to expose the jumble of books within. “The rest is for the residents of Golden Acres. A couple times a month I return books for the ones who can’t make the trip and pick up some new ones.”

  “That’s sweet of you.”

  Marla shrugged. “I’d want someone to be there for my grandfather if I couldn’t be.”

  The waitress came back with a fresh coffee for Marla and a hot chocolate for Izzy, both in large ceramic mugs decorated with black and white dogs. On each saucer was a small dog-shaped sugar cookie. She bussed away Marla’s old mug.

  “I’m glad you showed up.” Marla stirred in some cream and sugar. “I’m going to be throwing a party at my cabin in a couple of weeks and wanted to know if you and Brad could come. Three Fridays from now?”

  “I think I’m free. I’ll have to look into getting a babysitter for Ana.” She sipped her chocolate. “But I’m sure Brad will go. He jumps whenever you snap your fingers.”

  Marla froze. “What?”

  “He doesn’t want you raising his rent,” Izzy said, a teasing lilt to her voice. When Marla remained silent, Izzy looked up from her cookie. A line appeared in her forehead. “I’m joking, sweetie. He’ll go because he wants to.”

  The coffee turned to acid in Marla’s stomach. She pushed her mug away. “Does he think I hold my money over his head?” Was that what they all thought? What Gabe thought? When Gabe had rejected her, asked if she was going to stop writing checks if he turned her down, she’d only thought of her hurt. The insult to her integrity. He’d only been taunting the rich girl, putting Marla in her place. Or so she’d assumed. She hadn’t considered that he might actually believe….

  Marla played with her emerald ring. “Brad doesn’t have to be at my beck and call to keep the mill for his shelter. It’s his for as long as he wants it.”

  Leaning forward, Izzy covered Marla’s hand. “Really, I was being flippant. No one thinks you’d be so petty as to stop renting your property if someone doesn’t go to one of your parties. I was just mouthing off because Brad had a bad morning. A distribution deal for his dog mobility devices just fell through, and he’s pouting and worried about money. Brad will come because he’s grateful.” She chuckled. “And because you throw kick-ass parties.”

  Marla remained silent. Izzy’s smile slowly disappeared. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Gabe said something similar. I thought he was just being…”

  “Gabe?”

  Marla nodded. He did have a reputation. Perhaps she wasn’t completely at fault for thinking he was only ridiculing her and not—

  She dropped her face into her hands and groaned. “I sexually harassed a man and didn’t even realize it.”

  Izzy sputtered, drops of chocolate spraying on the tablecloth. She set her mug down and patted her mouth with her napkin. “What now? I think I must have misheard you.”

  “You heard right,” Marla said glumly. “I propositioned Gabe, a man whose salary I indirectly fund, for sex. I even did it in his workplace!” How could she have been so thoughtless? She massaged her temples. “Oh God, I’m the pervy landlord in a hundred bad porno films.”

  She pushed her mug and cookie away, not even wanting to look at them. Her stomach twisted, her gorge rose.

  Izzy stared at her, slack-jawed. “I don’t…how could…I don’t even know where to go with this information.”

  “I know. I’m horrible.”

  Izzy burst out laughing. “You went after Gabe? You? With Gabe?”

  Marla chewed on her thumbnail. “You’re missing the point. And why not me and Gabe? It’s not like we’re two different species.”

  Izzy tipped her head to the side and lifted her shoulder. “Well…”

  Marla slumped in her chair. “You’re right. It was stupid. Gabe is young and sexy and I play dominoes and knit.”

  “Babe, he would be lucky to have you.” Izzy leaned across the table. “It’s not you. I was just thinking how you’re so nice and friendly and Gabe is, well…”

  “Gabe,” Marla finished. She shook her head. “You didn’t see the look on his face. He was so disgusted. And now I know why. I’m a monster.”

  Izzy rolled her eyes. “Melodramatic, much?” She picked up the rest of Marla’s cookie and nibbled on it. “So, tell me what happened. I haven’t had the luxury of seeing a hundred bad pornos. Did you go into his office wearing nothing but a trench coat? Did you play some bow chicka wow wow music on your phone?”

  Marla clenched her teeth. Izzy wasn’t getting this. It wasn’t a joke. Harassment was serious. “None of the above.”

  A hair dryer clicked off, and Maddie tossed her head, her black hair tousled into a fluffy round poof. The groomer attached hot pink bows to the hair at her head and on her tail.

  Opening her purse, Marla found her wallet and tossed some money on the table. “I’m ending this conversation now, but it was great seeing you. And I hope you and Brad can make it to the party. Invitations will be going out soon.”

  “Don’t go yet. I really want to hear more about this attempt at seduction.” Izzy pulled her dark hair back from her face and tied it into a knot. She planted her elbows on the table. “Did you bring flowers? Flavored condoms?”

  Marla stood.

  “Come on,” Izzy whined. “I didn’t even know you liked this guy. I want deets.”

  “I was only proposing a temporary liaison.” Marla smoothed her hands down her hips. “It had nothing to do with liking.”

  “That’s hot.”

  Marla gave up. Her friend had some serious problems. She slid her purse strap over her shoulder.

  “Wait!” Izzy flexed her feet and placed them back on the ground. “I won’t be sending out invitations like you do because I’m not fancy, but Brad and I are having a barbeque this weekend. We’d love it if you’d come.”

  If she was still able to show her face. Izzy’s picnics usually included Gabe. But Marla nodded. “Text me the details. And let me know what I can bring.”

  “Only yourself,” Izzy said cheerfully. “My friend Lydia will be bringing more wine than the Vatican could drink, and Brad’s got the grill covered.”

  “See you then.” Marla hustled to her dog and paid the groomer. She practically ran out of Posh Wash & Nosh, shame just a step behind.

  For all of Izzy’s joking, the situation was no laughing matter. Marla rented the land and building to Forever Friends at below market rates. It was her contribution to a cause she believed in. And she donated a lot of her money for the shelter’s maintenance. Of course, Gabe would think that her proposition came wrapped in a creepy candy coating. It was to his credit that he’d rather face the consequences of her pulled support than give in to her harassment.

  Her cheeks burned. Thank God, he’d refused her. She couldn’t even imagine how low she’d feel if she’d discovered that he’d only slept with her out of fear of retaliation.

  She and Maddie crossed the street and slunk back toward Clarion Township’s library. The sun was just setting over the wheat field that bounded the town on the west, the sky taking on the color of a bruise. It matched how Marla felt. She wanted nothing more than
to go home and bury her head under a pillow. Or attack a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

  But she owed Gabe an apology. And of all her many, and ever-increasing, faults, she hoped cowardice wasn’t one of them.

  * * * *

  Marla followed the sounds of clinking metal and loud curses to the garage tucked behind the small ranch house. Maddie padded noiselessly beside her. A mournful blues song grew louder the closer they approached. The large bay door stood open and Gabe’s Fathom Blue ’70 Chevelle was backed inside the garage, the hood propped open with a three-foot dowel. A tight rear end clad in worn denim poked out from underneath the hood.

  Marla paused on the threshold, unsure which was the prettier sight: the grade-A muscle car, or Gabe’s ass. Damn it, she was doing it again. Ogling him like a piece of meat. Well, not quite like that. Gabe could never be anything as passive as meat. But like the sexy, sexy man he was. But that was still wrong. Wasn’t it? She snuck another glance. Very, very wrong. And completely contradicted the point of her errand.

  She tugged at the hem of her turquoise tulip skirt. It fell to a respectable knee length, but she didn’t want to give Gabe the impression that she was here for a repeat performance of her humiliation.

  Mad plopped her butt down and looked up at Marla, cocking her head. Marla squared her shoulders. Yes, she was going to go through with this. She just wasn’t used to apologizing.

  Her kitten heels struck the cement floor, and Gabe whipped around. His gaze started at her ankles and edged up her legs and hips before settling somewhere around her throat. He turned back to his engine.

  “You’re a long way from the country club.” He pulled a penlight from his pocket and shined it into the engine block.

  “Actually, the Arcadia Hills Golf Course and Country Club is only about three miles away, as the crow flies. You should stop by sometime.”

  A mini workbench on wheels stood near to him, littered with tools, rags, and a small AM/FM radio bleating the sad song. Gabe picked up a red square of cloth and ran it along the engine. He tossed it back toward the bench, but it fell to the floor. Maddie walked over and sniffed the rag.