The other vehicles ranged from a Mercedes S-Class sedan to a vintage Ford pickup. But it was the sight of a beautifully restored 1950 Indian Motorcycles Chief parked at the end of the front row of cars that brought me up short. I swallowed hard and hurried to it. I didn’t know a serious cyclist who didn’t dream of owning a Chief. To say it was the last thing I expected to find in Miss Serena’s garage was putting it mildly. Then, eyes narrowing, I glanced over my shoulder in the direction of the house. Was this one of those surprises Annie warned me about?
Not that I cared just then. I dropped to one knee next to the Chief and leaned close. With a critical eye, I examined the engine. Whoever had maintained the bike knew what he was doing. It looked like it probably had the day it drove off the showroom floor. Damn, but it was gorgeous.
“That was your mother’s.”
I looked over my shoulder, surprised. Miss Serena stood just inside the garage. I climbed to my feet and dusted my hands on my jeans. Then I waited, not sure what to say.
“When she was old enough to get her driver’s license, I offered to get her a car. Faith wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, she saved her money and bought this. Of course, back then, it was not much more than a pile of nuts, bolts and rust. I never did find out what sort of deal she worked out with Jacob Smithson, but the two of them worked almost two years to restore the motorcycle. Since your mother left here, Jacob’s made sure it’s been serviced and kept in running order.”
I swallowed hard and shook my head. Mom never said anything about the Chief. In fact, when I bought my Harley, she’d worried about me riding it. Now, finding out she’d had this when she was younger than me, all I could do was stare. How much more was there about my mother for me to discover?
Why hadn’t she shared this part of her life with me?
“I don’t know whether I’m dreaming or in some sort of nightmare or just an alternate universe.” I looked from her to the Chief and back.
“Meg, come back inside and we’ll talk. But I’ll begin with an apology. I should have explained before sending you out here, but I honestly didn’t think about the motorcycle until you left the house.”
“I can’t help wondering why Mom kept all this,” I waved my hand to the bike and then in the direction of the house, “secret.”
“I wish I had an answer for you, Meg, but I don’t.” She moved to my side and reached for one of my hands. “Come inside. We’ll talk and maybe between the two of us we can begin to understand what your mother was up to.”
What could I do? I nodded and followed her back inside. A little later, I sat at the kitchen table, watching as she poured coffee for the two of us. When she joined me, I nodded in appreciation before reaching for my mug.
“Miss Serena, I don’t know what to think.” I stared into my mug, hating the way I felt just then. “I feel like I didn’t know Mom.” Tears stung my eyes as emotions roiled deep inside of me. Anger, frustration, but most of all hurt and a sense of betrayal, filled me.
“Meg.” She reached over and rested her hand on mine, waiting until I looked up. “You know the important things about your mother. She loved you more than life itself. She was proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. You have to remember that. She would have done anything for you.”
Except tell me about her past, about Mossy Creek and about my father, to name a few.
Even so, Miss Serena was right. Mom had loved me. The rational part of me knew she had reasons for not telling me the rest of it. She probably thought she was protecting me when I was younger. But she’d sent me here for a reason and it was up to me to find out what. Maybe I’d get some answers once I looked at the contents of her safe deposit box.
“It just hurts, you know?”
“Of course, it does.” She patted my hand and leaned back. “But you’ll find the answers. Have faith in yourself and in the rest of us.”
“I do.” I did and that surprised me. “I guess I ought to get to town. I don’t suppose you’re driving in today?” I asked hopefully. I didn’t want to explain that there was no way I wanted to drive any of the vehicles in the garage with the exception of the Chief and that had to wait until my injuries had healed some more.
She smiled and, judging by the twinkle in her eyes, she guessed my dilemma. “No, child. Take one of the cars.”
I swallowed hard and shook my head. As I did, I felt the blood drain from my face. She wasn’t going to make this easy, damn it. Then inspiration struck.
“I’ll take the pickup then, if you don’t mind.” It might be a vintage Ford, but its value paled in comparison to the Mercedes or the Range Rover.
To my surprise, Miss Serena chuckled softly. “You are so much like your mother. She didn’t want to use any of my cars either, not unless she absolutely had to.”
I waited. I had a feeling Miss Serena hadn’t finished.
“I know you would be more comfortable driving the pickup, but my farm manager needs it today. Why don’t you take the Range Rover? It hasn’t been driven in a week or so. You’d be doing me a favor driving it.”
Part of me jumped up and down in excitement at the prospect of driving the SUV. But another part quaked in fear. What if I wrecked it? I’d be terrified of getting so much as a speck of dust on it.
“Meg, do it for me. I’ll feel better if you’re in the SUV.”
Oh, she didn’t play fair. Worse, I could see Mom in the back of my mind, looking and sounding exactly like her as she said the same thing. Damn it, I was stuck.
“Thanks.” Okay, I could have been a bit more gracious about it. “I mean it, Miss Serena. Thank you. For letting me use the SUV and for everything else you’ve done for me.” Now I reached across the table for her hand. “I might not understand why Mom never told me about Mossy Creek or you, but I’m glad I’m finally getting to know you.”
“As am I, child.” She squeezed my hand and then motioned for me to drink up. “I’ll talk to Jacob later today and see when he can come over to talk with you about the Chief. When you’re ready, we’ll get the title transferred over to you.”
I swallowed hard. A moment later, I blew out a long breath. So much was happening, too much. “Thanks.” What else could I say? “I guess I ought to get my things and be on my way.”
Fifteen minutes later, I carefully drove off. I’m not too proud to admit fear of so much as dinging one of the Land Rover’s doors overrode the awe to actually be sitting behind the wheel. Before leaving, Miss Serena showed me the small controller on the sun visor that would open the gate across the drive leading up to the house. The second controller opened the garage doors. On the key fob was a set of keys to the house. Before I could object, Miss Serena said that as long as I stayed, I needed it so I could come and go as I wished.
Not five minutes down the road, I switched on the turn indicator and carefully pulled to the edge of the road. After switching on the emergency lights, I checked for traffic. A moment later, I stood at the front of the SUV, eyes narrowed, memory of having to lay down my Harley returning.
Swallowing hard, I strode across the asphalt. My mouth drew tight at the deep grooves the Harley had laid into the pavement. Fighting back the anger, and not a little fear, I carefully paced off the length of the grooves. Damn, I’d been lucky. If I’d been going any faster, I’d have been nothing but a stain on the pavement.
I pulled my cellphone and snapped a series of photos. Drew, or someone else from the sheriff’s department, would have already done so, but I wanted my own. I might see something they missed. Not that I expected to, but a girl could hope.
My mouth went dry as I stepped onto the far shoulder and looked toward the ravine. Dry brush, bent and broken, showed the path I’d taken as I slid off the road. My stomach did a slow roll as I carefully followed the track, making sure to stay to the side so I didn’t disturb any potential evidence. When I reached where I’d finally come to a stop, I turned and glanced back toward the road. God, Drew had been right. I’d been lucky. If I’d rolled any f
urther down the embankment, he might not have found me. At least not right away.
Swallowing against the bile clawing its way up my throat, I snapped a few more shots and then returned to the SUV. For several long moments, I sat there, trying to calm my emotions. Fear warred with anger as my flight-or-fight instinct kicked in. I chuckled mirthlessly as I started the Land Rover’s engine. I’d never run from a fight before and I wasn’t about to start now.
Mom taught me long ago not to start a fight but to damn well finish it and I always did my best to do what she told me.
Ready for battle, I pushed open the door to the café ten minutes later and stopped short as those gathered turned in my direction. I braced myself for the suspicious stares and the open hostility. Instead, before the door closed behind me, one patron after another greeted me. They asked how I was and if there’d been any word on who hit me. A few even offered to help me string the culprit up once we found him.
Was this what it was like to live in a town where you were accepted? If so, why had Mom ever left?
“Thank you.” I smiled and looked around. I recognized some of the faces from my previous visit. Then I spotted Drew sitting at one of the tables next to the front window. “I’m a bit battered around the edges but I’m fine or will be in a few more days.”
“Miss Serena taking good care of you, hon?” An elderly gentleman asked from the counter where he sat.
“She’s taking very good care of me, sir.”
“Serena Duchamp is good people, young lady. You listen to her,” a woman about Mom’s age said from where she sat at a four top with three other women about her age.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Drew caught my eye and motioned for me to join him. By the time I did — and who knew it could take so long to walk half the length of the café? It wasn’t that large — I’d been regaled with more than story about how Miss Serena had helped folks around town. As I took a chair across from Drew, several things became clear. The people of Mossy Creek not only trusted Miss Serena but they loved her. More than that, because she’d accepted me, so would they. If I let them.
Before I could do more than nod in greeting, Janny was there with a mug of coffee. I thanked her and turned my attention to Drew.
“You’re looking better, Meg,” he said.
“I am better. Thanks.” I sipped the coffee and almost moaned in ecstasy. I might decide to stay in Mossy Creek just to have this wonderful brew every morning.
“But,” he prompted, concern darkening his blue eyes.
“I stopped by the accident scene on my way in. Let’s just say it put things into perspective.” And then some.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I am. Just a little shaken.”
He nodded and leaned back. As he did, he reached into his windbreaker with the sheriff’s department logo embroidered on it. A moment later, he pulled out his notepad. I took another sip of coffee and waited, wondering what he’d say next. He took a moment to study his notes before looking up.
“Meg, we haven’t found out anything more about the truck that hit you. We’re still looking and following up on any leads as they come in.” I’d expected as much. What surprised me was I believed him. “I sent copies of the accident report to your insurance company yesterday afternoon, along with a preliminary reconstruction of what happened. Hopefully, that will speed things up on your claim.”
“Thanks, Drew.” I smiled slightly and thought for a moment. “Any chance I can see my bike and maybe get Lexie’s dad in to see it?” Hopefully, Mr. Smithson would give me some good news. Not that I knew what that might be and I wouldn’t until I saw the Harley for myself.
“Impound knows to let Jacob in whenever he gets there. Lexie texted me earlier this morning and said her dad would try to get there after lunch today.”
I nodded, relieved. If he did, that would strike one thing off my every growing list of things to do.
“As for the rest of it, I can take you to Impound later today.” He paused as Janny stopped next to the table to refill his mug.
“I’d appreciate it.” Probably more than he knew. “When would be good?”
He thought for a moment before answering. “I’m going to be on duty until at three. Why don’t I text you when I clock out? Will that work?”
“It will. Thanks.”
That gave me plenty of time to go by the bank to check Mom’s safe deposit box and check in with Annie to see if she’d found anything else. After that, well, maybe it was time to start doing some digging on my own. Mom sent me here for a reason and the sooner I learned why, the better.
An hour later, I arrived at Annie’s office. As I stepped inside, I shifted my now overweight bag from my left shoulder to my right. When I’d gone to the bank, the last thing I’d expected was to find Mom’s safe deposit box filled with not only papers but a journal of some sort, as well as a variety of other items. It hadn’t taken much thought to decide the last thing I wanted was to go through everything there. For a moment, I’d considered returning to Miss Serena’s only to quickly discard the idea. Before I did anything else, I wanted to find out if Annie had learned anything new. Besides, the longer I delayed in town, the longer I wasn’t behind the wheel of the Land Rover and the less chance there was of something happening to it.
Damn, I was going to have to get my own wheels if I was going to be here much longer.
Before the young blonde sitting at the front desk could do more than nod in greeting, the door leading back to the private part of the office opened. Beth stepped out. Seeing me, she smiled in greeting. I waited as she placed a file on the blonde’s desk.
“Morning, Meg. Come on back,” Beth said. She opened the door and waited for me to join her. “Annie has court before long, but she said to bring you right back.”
“Thanks. Did she say why?” My heart beat a little faster as I followed her.
Beth gave me an understanding smile even as she shook her head. A moment later, she stopped outside Annie’s office and knocked on the door. When Annie said to come in, Beth opened the door and motioned me inside. Then, promising to bring coffee for me and herbal tea for Annie, she closed the door behind me.
Annie looked tired as she looked up from whatever she’d been reading when I entered. Then she smiled and motioned for me to take a seat. Without waiting for me to comply, she made a couple of notes and closed the file she’d been studying.
“You’re looking better, Meg.” She leaned back, her head cocked to one side as she studied me.
“I’m feeling better, but you look tired. Are you all right?”
More importantly, was the baby all right? I knew women often worked right up to their due date, but Annie looked like she could delivery any day now. Shouldn’t she be at home, taking it easy?
“I’m fine. The baby was restless last night.” A gentle, loving smile touched her lips and I felt a quick pang of jealously that surprised me. “Anyway.” She waved a hand in front of her as if, by doing so, she could wave away her exhaustion. “I hear you’ve had a busy morning.”
I chuckled, unsurprised. News traveled fast in Mossy Creek.
“I have and I have a bag full of papers from Mom’s safe deposit box.”
“Really?” She leaned forward, arms on the desktop, curiosity reflected in her eyes.
I nodded. “There was too much to look at there, so I brought everything with me.”
“Was there anything in the box besides papers?”
“Some photos, an old book that looks like it might be a journal of some sort and a leather pouch. It has something in it, but I haven’t looked yet.” All of which I’d need to carefully go over. I didn’t dare risk missing any clues about why Mom sent me here.
Annie didn’t say anything for a moment. Her expression serious, I could almost see the wheels of her mind turning. I waited. As I did, I fought the urge to reach for my bag and its prized contents. There would be time enough later to begin looking through everythin
g. But, damn it, I wanted to get to it.
“I’ve done some research this morning into your mother’s family,” she said as she once again sat back in her high-backed leather chair. “As we discussed earlier, most of the family is still in the area. Your grandparents live just outside of town. Your mother’s oldest brother and his family have a home in Denton County, about an hour from here. Her other brother and his wife live with your grandparents. There are a handful of cousins within an hour or so of town.”
I leaned my head against the back of my chair and closed my eyes. The knowledge I had family in town should have brought a reaction but probably not the anger that suddenly surged through me. I had no desire to meet them, unless it was to let them know how I felt about the way they’d treated my mother. The attorney in me, however, knew I couldn’t. At least not yet. I needed to find out who hit my Harley – not to mention why. But, more important in so many ways, I needed to find out why Mom wanted me to come to her hometown. Until then, I needed to keep my temper in check.
“Beth’s doing her best to run down everything she can about them. The Luíseachs might live close by but they don’t often come to town. At least they haven’t since I’ve been back. We’ll keep looking into them and the rest of the family.”
“Thanks.” I climbed to my feet and moved to stare out the window behind her desk. “Annie, I want to know everything there is to know about the family, especially my grandparents. I can do some of the digging, but I’d be a fool not to know you have sources I don’t, both legal and local. If you’d prefer me hiring a PI to do the search, I will. I’d appreciate a recommendation of who to hire.”
She smiled, and I narrowed my eyes. There was something about her expression that raised my suspicions. “What?”
“I was going to talk to you about hiring someone – not because I don’t want to help you but because he’ll have sources I don’t. Beth and I will handle the legal and computer searches and he’ll do the legwork.”
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