Pearl Valley

by Felicia Rogers

  Trevor sat across from her room. His good leg was bent at the knee and his other was stretched out in front of him.

  She nudged his foot and he stirred, gazing at her with his dark blue eyes. “Good morning, darling,” he drawled as he struggled to a standing position.

  Janie leaned against the bedroom door’s facing. “Why are you sleeping outside my room?”

  Trevor rubbed sleep from his eyes. “Can we have breakfast and coffee before the inquisition?”

  Janie pushed past him and bounded down the stairs. As soon as she touched the bottom step, the phone rang. She grabbed the receiver on the way to the kitchen. “Hello?”

  “When were you going to tell me?”

  “Dad?”

  “Yes. Are you happy? Because if you’re happy, then I’m happy. Oh, this is so sudden but so exciting. My little girl is engaged.”

  The phone clattered to the floor as her grip relaxed. Her father’s voice could be heard calling. “Hello? Are you there?”

  Trevor scooped up the phone and handed it to her. Grudgingly, she placed it back to her ear and said, “Sorry, I dropped the phone.”

  “No problem. We need to discuss a few things. Like, have you made any plans? Have you picked a date or a place? If you get married in the church, then I can use the alcove and still be there…”

  He continued, and Janie had a vision of walking the aisle alone as her father hid from the world in the dark alcove. She gripped the edge of the counter. The white of her glove contrasted with the black granite countertop, and she buried her hand in her armpit and waited for her father’s speech to end.

  “What do you think?”

  What do I think? Does it matter? “Dad, I’ll have to get back with you on the details.”

  “That’s fine. I didn’t expect you to know everything.” He paused and Janie imagined him drumming his fingers on his thigh. “I do need to ask a favor, though.”

  “What?”

  “Can you keep your wedding on the down low? You know, not too extravagant, not a big deal. Not that we don’t have the funds to throw you a monstrous-size wedding, but I just don’t want to embarrass Doc any more than he already has been.”

  “Dad, I—“

  “No need to explain. He’s a lot older than you, and you’ve never shown an interest in him, that I can tell, but he is a lonely sort, and I guess he figured you were the same and that bound you together. But don’t worry about him, he’ll bounce back. We just don’t want to kick him while he’s down, right?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Now that we’ve settled that, you let me know the details when you can. Everyone in town has already started calling and offering discounts. We could make this the biggest affair the town has ever seen, but I guess we won’t. I love you, and I’ll talk to you later.”

  The phone clicked off, and Janie laid the receiver on the counter.

  “Your dad?”

  “Yes.”

  “Already planning the wedding?” asked Trevor, crossing his arms over his chest and grinning like a Cheshire cat.

  “Yes.” She avoided looking at him and gathered eggs, ham, and cheese to make an omelet. “I don’t know how I’ll explain it when you leave. He is so excited by the prospect of me getting married.”

  Trevor drew his brows together, but she didn’t give him time to comment. “I’ll have to tell everyone we decided on a long engagement. At least they won’t call and offer their services every day.”

  He reached out for her hand and growled when his phone rang. He placed it to his ear, and she mouthed, “Want an omelet?”

  He gave her a thumbs-up and walked from the room.

  The egg sizzled in the skillet, and Janie’s mind wandered. Naturally, she assumed Trevor would leave. He had a company to run, right? He couldn’t stay in Pearl Valley forever.

  She gnawed on her lip. What would the doc do after her blatant rejection? After Trevor left, would he ask her again?

  The thought of Trevor leaving town, never to see him again, stung. How would she get along without him?

  She laid her elbow on the counter and cradled her chin. What would happen if she took Trevor up on his offer of marriage? Would he continue to express his feelings, or would they all magically disappear?

  ****

  “Trevor, I hope you don’t mind that I called you without Rory.”

  “No problem, Olin.”

  “I did some extra digging after I talked to you last night, and I have some more information.”

  Trevor found a seat. “I’m ready.”

  “Turns out Doc Giles is not really a doctor.”

  “What?” Trevor straightened in his seat.

  “Well, he is a doctor, but not a medical doctor. He has a doctorate in geology.”

  Trevor ran a hand through his hair and mulled over Olin’s statement. He asked, “So he knows about rocks?”

  “That’s what I’m finding. It seems he only got the job as a medical doctor in Pearl Valley after he saved some boy from drowning.”

  “But the townspeople—“

  “Go to Sapphire Shoals Hospital if they have a real illness.”

  “I see.”

  “And get this, he was in town inspecting the oyster farm when the first fires broke out. Then he suddenly left and returned three years later, saved the boy, and became the Doc.”

  All the pieces were falling into place and the end result was frightening.

  “You need to watch that guy. He’s never been in trouble but he seems like someone who hides his indiscretions well.”

  Trevor hung up. In the kitchen he found Janie finishing her meal.

  “I hope yours is still warm,” she said.

  “I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Mentally, Trevor ran over a list of plans. Janie would have to be in the dark until he discovered all the details about Doc. No reason to worry her needlessly.

  “What’s on your agenda for today?” asked Trevor as he chewed a rubbery bite of the cold omelet.

  “I have to pick up food for the Wednesday night church meal. After I drop it off, I’ll come home and then go back early to prepare to serve. And you?”

  “Oh, I thought I might visit the library.”

  “I’m sure Mrs. Purvis will like that. She’s told the entire town about your generous donation.” She cocked a brow over the rim of her coffee mug.

  “Yeah, about that—“

  “Look, I don’t want to know what she offered you for the money. The old woman has been married about six times and is always on the lookout for another wealthy donor.”

  “Hmm, I guess I deserve that.”

  “You do. Please tell me you aren’t going there just to give another donation. The library will be fine without you throwing money at it.”

  “I don’t plan on it.”

  “Good. After you hit the library, maybe you can come by the church tonight.”

  “Just tell me the time.”

  They made plans to meet outside the fellowship hall at five o’clock. Trevor climbed into the truck, glanced at Janie’s house, and pulled out. He hoped and prayed he wasn’t making a mistake by leaving her alone.

  The library was a flop. All the newspaper records covering the fire reported pretty much the same details: the police had no leads. He did find the incident report about Janie’s cousin, Jamie, almost drowning, and how the townsfolk awarded Giles the honorary title of Doctor. A more recent article stated how, over the seven years since Giles Robinson’s arrival, the population dynamics had changed, the younger people didn’t realize he wasn’t an MD and the elderly people went to him for scrapes out of a sense of duty. By a simple error, the man had become the legitimate doctor of the land.

  Trevor tapped his chin. On a piece of paper he wrote out a timeline. He included Doc Giles’ whereabouts in correlation to local fires:

  —10 ½ years ago: Giles Robins, geologist proposes to Mrs. Dossett

  —10 years ago: Janie’s house burns, killing her mother
and severely burning her father.

  —7 years ago: oyster farm dries up, the river floods and Jamie almost drowns, Doc saves him

  —5 years ago: Janie’s cousin, Jamie, has a car accident, Doc arrived on scene

  —1 week ago: Two men insult Janie and burn in their own home, Doc in town

  —1 day ago: Morgan’s Motel burns with all his stuff, Doc runs to inform Janie

  Trevor saw the answer glaring him in the face. Somehow the Doc was responsible. But did it matter that he knew the truth? He would need to convince others, but how?

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Old Jim waved as Janie entered the grocery store. Tonight’s meal was hoagie sandwiches. The deli had a standing order for the shaved meat, so she headed there first. Next she placed the cheese, other toppings, and the sub bread in her shopping cart. Sally rang up her order and placed it on the church’s tab.

  Jim helped her load the packages in her truck, and Janie drove to the church. She used her key and proceeded to unload the items. After everything was put away, Janie pulled out plates, napkins, silverware, and cups in preparation for the weekly meal.

  Standing back, she surveyed her handiwork. Satisfied with her progress, she turned to leave.

  “You aren’t leaving, are you?”

  Janie placed a hand over her heart as it fluttered erratically. She faced the doc. “You scared me. What are you doing here?”

  He held a lighter in his hand and flicked it. Flame on, flame off. “I just came by to reset the pilot light.”

  “Oh,” said Janie as she released her breath.

  “Roger called and asked me to come over.”

  “Okay. I put the food away so I think I’ll run home and change. I’ll see you later.”

  “You don’t have to run off. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “I know, I just—“

  “Not like you hurt me.”

  “Look, Doc—“

  “Don’t explain. I understand. A striking young man blows into town with a cowboy hat on, and you can’t help but be attracted to him. I just wished you had told me before I proposed.”

  “In all fairness, I didn’t know you were going to propose.”

  He twisted his lips upward at the corners. “That is something I don’t get.”

  “What?” she said as she took a step toward the door.

  “I just don’t understand how you didn’t know I was going to propose. I mean, I’ve been following you around, offering to help you in your volunteer activities, visiting your dad. I’ve done all the things you’ve asked of me, and yet you still didn’t know that I cared for you.”

  “I knew you cared, I just didn’t know you cared like that.”

  “Oh, that I cared like love instead of friends?”

  “Y-yes,” she stuttered.

  “Such a shame that someone like you will go to such waste.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It is obvious as the day is long that Trevor Jacobs isn’t going to marry you. He is the love’em and leave’em type.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetie, but Trevor has left a string of broken hearts all across the United States. In fact, most of them are named Jane Dossett.”

  “I think you’re mistaken.”

  “Believe what you want, but I found this article on wounded soldiers, and it said that he was on a mad search for a woman named Jane Dossett because she was going to change his life. They have several quotes from some of the women he met along his journey.”

  The magazine sailed through the air and landed at her feet. “Why don’t you go home and fix you a nice, hot bubble bath and do some reading. I know you’re going to love it.”

  He clicked the lid on the lighter closed, and Janie jumped. Snickering, he walked out the door and left her alone.

  ****

  Without luck in his current pursuits, Trevor switched his focus. He found articles on fires in Sapphire Shoals. A common theme throughout was the Robinson name. He pushed back from the chair and rubbed his tired eyes. Placing his hat on his head, he pulled out his phone. With all the evidence stacked against Giles, he believed he had enough to turn the doc over to the authorities.

  Outside a hot, dry wind blew, moving his hat and ruffling his hair. Trevor climbed into his truck and drove to Pearl Valley’s police station. Men and women filed in and out. Trevor struggled to enter the flow only to be stopped at the front door.

  “State your business,” said the uniformed officer.

  “I need to speak with the chief please.”

  “Won’t be possible. This is court day.”

  The man turned away and began talking to other people as if that was enough of an explanation. Trevor tried again to get the man’s attention.

  “Look, officer I have some important information that the chief will want to hear.”

  “You and everyone else looking for a little attention. Come back tomorrow when the chief is in his office.”

  The officer shooed him away like an irritating fly. Annoyed by the exchange, Trevor crammed his hat lower on his head and went back to his truck.

  Instead of waiting until tomorrow, he drove to Sapphire Shoals. While the Sheriff and he weren’t on the best terms, Trevor still felt like he would listen to him.

  Twenty minutes later he parked in front of the county sheriff’s office. No activity surrounded the place, and Trevor congratulated himself on his decision.

  He bounded up the concrete steps and walked into the office like a man on a mission. Stopping at the front desk, he announced himself. “Trevor Jacobs, here to meet the sheriff.”

  “Just a moment.”

  The officer disappeared behind a wall, and when he returned he said, “I’m afraid the sheriff is busy at the moment. He asks that you come back another day.”

  Trevor clutched the edge of the counter. “No, I can’t. This is very important.”

  “Every case is important. But I’m sorry. You will need to return tomorrow.”

  Trevor removed his cowboy hat and laid it on the counter. He ran his hand through his hair and did something he’d promised he would never do. “Look, I’m a war hero.”

  “Congratulations,” said the officer sarcastically.

  Trevor moved around to the edge of the counter and hitched up his pants leg. “No, I mean I’m a real war hero, ex-Navy SEAL.”

  The officer’s eyes widened, and he apologized. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect. Thank you for your service.”

  “You’re welcome. But you see, I really need to speak with the sheriff.”

  The man leaned closer and whispered, “I’m sorry, Mr. Jacobs, but the sheriff thinks that you might be here just to cause trouble, and he can’t abide trouble, so he asked me to get rid of you.”

  “I assure you, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here to stop trouble.”

  “Well maybe if you tell me what you know, I can pass it along and try to get you an audience.”

  Trevor hesitated but saw no other way. “I know who started the fires in Pearl Valley and Sapphire Shoals.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. If I could just talk to the sheriff, I assure you I can make him believe me.”

  The man held up his finger for him to wait a minute. When he returned, his face was downcast. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jacobs. I did try. He said you could tell me who started the fires, and then he would decide whether to speak with you. Turns out he already knew you were a war hero.”

  Trevor debated. If he told this officer with the name tag reading Nate who started the fires, and then the sheriff still refused to see him, what would he do? But if he didn’t tell the officer, no one would know.

  “Sir, not to rush you, but I have a ton of paperwork. Do you want me to pass along a message or not?”

  Trevor nodded. “I do. Giles Robinson is your culprit.”

  “The doc in Pearl Valley?”

  “Yes. On
ly Giles Robinson is no doctor.”

  Nate scratched his head. “I don’t know about that. When my little boy done scraped his knee up real bad, the hospital was short-staffed and wasn’t able to help, but the doc… well, he took time to clean and dress the wound, and my boy didn’t even have a scar. That man is a miracle worker.”

  Trevor forced himself not to roll his eyes. He leaned against the chest-high counter. “I know you don’t want to believe me, but I’m telling you the truth. Giles Robinson set those fires. He’s dangerous.”

  Nate shook his head. “Well, I’ll go tell the sheriff because I said I would, but I’m telling you right now that he won’t believe it. Have you got any proof?”

  “I’ve been to the library, and I’ve made this timeline.” Trevor handed over the paper.

  Nate clasped it in his hand and left the front office muttering under his breath, and Trevor prayed. When Nate returned, he was alone. He didn’t look at Trevor but began shuffling papers. Trevor stood at the counter and stared at him.

  “Yes? Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Nate! It’s me. You went to talk to the sheriff about Giles. What did he say?”

  “He said that you are a troublemaker and that I should ignore you.” The young man handed him back the timeline and added, “Sorry about that.”

  Trevor ran a hand through his hair, snatched his hat from the counter, and shoved it back on his head. What was he going to do now?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The encounter with Doc Giles left Janie on edge. She drove home and sat in her truck, afraid to go inside.

  Rosebushes sagged against the house as if wilted from the heat. The weatherman insisted they were headed for cooler weather and a dry spell, but dark clouds drifting overhead spoke a different tune.

  Janie shouldered her purse. Keys at the ready, she studied the darkening sky. White streaks of lightning flashed, followed by the loud clap of thunder. She just reached the shelter of the porch when the first drops of rain descended.