Kentucky Sunrise

by Fern Michaels

  “People can and do change. I know I have. Have a nice evening, Nealy. I have to get back so Gabby can have her Mister Bubble bath. Thanks for letting me talk to you like this. I won’t bother you again.”

  Nealy watched him walk away. She looked up at the clock, but she couldn’t remember what time it had been when Dillon sat down. Her teacup was empty, her shopping bag on the stool next to her. She sighed, then reached for the notebook Dillon had left on the counter and stuffed it in her purse.

  Her head high, her eyes burning, Nealy left the drugstore that smelled of licorice and talcum powder and walked to her car.

  “Hi, Dad, I’m home! Gabby! Where are you guys?” Emmie called out.

  “I’m getting Gabby ready for bed, Emmie,” her father called down from the top of the steps. “I picked up dinner from Chow Li’s. It’s in the warming oven. Gabby ate a little while ago.”

  “Okay, I’ll set the table and then I’ll be right up.” Emmie smiled as she went about setting the table for two. When she finished, she took the steps two at a time and swooped down on her daughter to roughhouse for a few minutes. “Love you, love you, love you,” she said, burying her face in Gabby’s neck. The little girl giggled. “Okay, two pages of Puff the Magic Dragon, and then it’s time for sleep.”

  “Three pages, Mommy. Please read three pages.”

  “Okay, but only because I love you.” She winked at her father, who knew full well the little girl would be sound asleep by the end of page one. Cookie was already asleep at the foot of the bed.

  “Are you ready, Gabby?”

  “Yes, yes, yes, I’m ready.”

  “Close your eyes and here we go. Page one of Puff the Magic Dragon . . .”

  An hour later, Emmie pushed back her chair. “I have a nice ripe melon, Dad, would you like some?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll pour the coffee. By the way I met your mother in town today, at the drugstore. We talked for a little while. That’s not quite true; I talked, but she did listen. I feel like a load of bricks has been taken off my shoulders. I could be wrong, but I think your mother might be feeling the same way.”

  Emmie sliced the melon and cut the rind off. She lined the crescent moon slices on a bed of lettuce before she carried it to the table. “Was she her naturally ornery self or was she civil to you?”

  “No, she wasn’t ornery. Distant maybe. Maybe she was in shock that I actually sat down next to her. She said she would listen for eight minutes. I talked real fast, then I left. I’m just sorry it took me so long to talk to her. I wish I could have done it years ago. Perhaps if I had, things would be different. The next move, if there is a next move, is up to your mother.”

  “Then don’t hold your breath. She won’t make a move. She trenches in and burrows. I’m glad you feel better, though. Thanks for picking up the Mister Bubble.”

  “How did your day go, honey?”

  “Great. Just great. I was actually able to get close to Gadfly. He didn’t do a thing. I almost ruined that magnificent animal. Lee is wonderful with him. Mom was right about him getting to know the horse. Those two horses are so evenly matched it’s uncanny. Jake is such a help. One of these days he is going to be a really good jockey. I think, and this is just my opinion, he’s still a little afraid. He does love Hifly, though.”

  “What about you, aren’t you a little afraid?”

  His voice sounds so anxious, Emmie thought. “No. Dad, I’ve been riding all my life. I used to race out of the gate with Mom. I know what it’s like. I don’t care if I come in last. From the day I bought Hifly, it was my intention to run him in the Derby if he was good enough. He’s good enough. I might not be good enough, but he sure is. I’m in good shape, all the doctors say so. My weight is perfect. I feel positive and confident. What was Mom doing in town? She never goes to town. She left the barn around noon and didn’t come back.”

  “I don’t know. She had a shopping bag, and she was dressed up. Maybe she had some business to take care of. Her Derby Ball is coming up next month. It was none of my business, and it isn’t your business, either, young lady.”

  “At forty you’re still calling me a young lady. I like it. It’s your turn to do the dishes. You know, Dad, we should start thinking about getting a housekeeper.”

  “I’m looking into it, honey. They aren’t that easy to come by. In the meantime, we can manage. Since it’s my turn to clean up, what are you going to do? Don’t tell me you’re going to watch me.”

  “Nope, I’m not going to watch you. I’m going to e-mail Buddy and tell him about Gabby. I’m ready to do it now. It took me about sixty phone calls to locate Buddy, but I finally found someone who not only knew him but also knew his e-mail address. I have his address and phone number, too. Even though he can’t hear, he has the latest in high-tech phone equipment. I just thought I would do the e-mail.”

  “I’m proud of you, Emmie. Whatever his response turns out to be, you will want to print it out and save it for Gabby. Buddy could well turn out to be a wonderful father. It’s the right thing to do, honey.”

  “Then I’m going to do it. Make sure you turn the dishwasher on. You load it, put the soap in, and forget to turn it on.”

  “Nag, nag, nag.” Dillon grinned. “Call me if you need me.”

  Emmie walked into the room that had once been a downstairs bedroom. Now it was her father’s study although he had yet to unpack the many boxes he’d had shipped from his own house in Virginia. The computer, however, was hooked up and waiting to be turned on.

  Emmie flicked the switch and waited for it to boot up. She clicked on AOL and waited a moment. When she heard the words, “You’ve got mail,” she smiled the way she always did. Nick was the only one who ever e-mailed her. She’d check it later. Now, she had a letter to write. Her fingers flew over the keys.

  Dear Buddy,

  This is Emmie. I’m back at Blue Diamond Farms. I have something important to tell you. I thought about trying to locate you and visiting you in person, but I thought you might not like me showing up on your doorstep. I opted for the e-mail so you can read it and Instant Message me, or respond by e-mail or regular mail.

  We have a daughter. I call her Gabby and I gave her my last name. I didn’t tell you about her because I thought you wouldn’t be interested. My thinking was, if you didn’t want me, surely you wouldn’t want our daughter. Everyone in my life tried to talk me into telling you, but I adamantly refused.

  I don’t want anything from you, Buddy. I just want you to know you have a daughter. Two years ago I was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis and had to go to a rehab center for treatment. Part of the treatment had to be psychiatric therapy. If I am to move forward in my life, I need to clear away all the cobwebs and all the dark secrets. Hence, this letter.

  Attached to this e-mail is a picture of Gabby. She’s on her pony Tick-Tock holding her dog Cookie. I think she looks a little like you around the eyes.

  I hope you’re well and happy, Buddy. I am. In fact, I’m going to be riding my horse in the Kentucky Derby this year.

  Please respond when you have the time.

  All best wishes,

  Emmie Coleman

  Before she sent off the e-mail, Emmie saved it to a file folder. The moment she was sure it was safe in her personal file, she clicked the SEND button.

  While she waited to see if there was a response, she checked Nick’s e-mail that was full of silly jokes, the kind that made her laugh out loud.

  Her father appeared in the doorway. “Did you send it off, honey?”

  “Yes. I’m waiting to see if there’s a response. He might not be on-line this evening. Buddy is real good about ignoring things he doesn’t want to deal with. In that respect he’s kind of like Mom. In my opinion,” Emmie added hastily.

  “Are you just going to sit here and wait?”

  “No. I was just about to go on the porch and jump in the hot tub. If an e-mail comes through, call me. You can have your study back now. By the way, I printed o
ut Nick’s latest jokes. They’re worth reading today. See ya.”

  Dillon read through the jokes and burst out laughing. He was still smiling when he pulled out his checkbook to pay some bills. He kept one eye on the computer screen. An hour later, he closed the checkbook and walked out to the kitchen. If Emmie wanted to turn off the computer, she was the one to do it. Hope would always spring eternal where his daughter and Buddy were concerned. There was no doubt in his mind that Emmie still had a soft spot in her heart for her former husband. Just the way he would always have a soft spot in his heart for her mother.

  Always.

  13

  Hatch looked around at the lush surroundings. Willow certainly knew how to go first class. The villa was exquisite, with its own swimming pool and closed-in walls. Walls that would provide safety for the young woman bent on eluding the law. Behind those walls were Zack Leroy and his dog Stella. He looked now at his two companions, Cal and Spence. “Look, my ass is dragging, and I know yours is, too, Cal. So, Spence, you’re on guard duty until we catch up with our jet lag by getting some sleep. We’re two villas down from this one. Stay alert and call if anything out of the ordinary happens.”

  “Will do, Hatch,” the investigator said, sitting down at a round table where a drink waited for him. “Pricey digs, counselor. People like me only get to dream about places like this,” he said, waving his arm to indicate the lavish villa and exquisite landscaping. “Take all the time you need. I can occupy myself for hours.” The latest New York Times best-seller rested on the table, along with a camera that had a zoom lens attached.

  Hatch squinted behind his sunglasses. Spence was far enough away so as not to attract attention, yet close enough to see into the villa if he wanted to use the binoculars resting next to the camera. Willow and Zack were in good hands. He trudged off, Cal in his wake.

  Six hours later, Hatch and Cal relieved Spence. “Anything happen?”

  “Nope. They’re both inside. Willow went for a swim a little while ago. Great body by the way. The old geezer sat under the umbrella with his dog. He’s got some real bony knees and a bathing suit that will give you eyestrain. The dog took a dip in the pool. Lots of everyday conversation. They fed the dog and had a garden salad and some crackers for a late lunch. Oh, yeah, they also had iced tea. She read the newspaper to the old guy. He soaked it all up.” He pointed to a gadget hanging around his neck. It looked like a small camera but was really a high-tech listening device. A set of earphones dangled from the pocket of his flowered shirt.

  “They’re dining in this evening. I think the old guy might be tired. They’re having rack of lamb, mint jelly, those little red potatoes with some kind of herbs, salad, and a mango sherbet for dessert. The old guy wanted bread with lots of butter and wanted to know if there would be gravy to soak it in. Willow said yes. The dog is getting a steak. You might want to move a little closer now that it’s dusk. Don’t worry, they can’t see you. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “I feel like a butter-and-egg man,” Hatch said sitting down and lighting up a cigar. He sniffed the air. It was so fragrant he immediately thought about Nealy.

  “When are you going to pick her up?” Cal asked. He hitched up his walking shorts before he sat down. “Good thing we pulled the night shift. I can’t take the sun. I don’t think there’s such a thing as a moon burn, is there?”

  “We pick her up as soon as the locals say it’s okay. She’s slick, so we have to make sure we cover all the bases. I hate involving the old man, but if he helped her out, he’s in trouble.”

  “You could look the other way, Hatch. I’m sure as hell not going to say anything. You didn’t even mention him to the cops, so they aren’t on to him. I say let him alone if my vote counts. About that moon burn,” Cal said, looking upward.

  “No, you can’t get a moon burn. We’ll play it by ear. He reminds me of some of the elders back on the reservation. The law says . . .”

  “Screw the law, Hatch. He’s an old man. How many years can he have left? He’s got his dog, and he’s here in this lush paradise. The girl is probably like a daughter to him. So he helped her, so what? Old people like to help out. It makes them feel needed. If you turn him in, he gets separated from the dog, and he loves that dog. The dog loves him.”

  “All right, all right,” Hatch said, mopping at his brow.

  Before he attached the earphones, Cal asked, “Did you find out about the extradition?”

  “Hell, no, I didn’t. She isn’t going to squawk to the law. What are they talking about?”

  “Food. She’s telling him some of the fancy dishes she’s prepared at places where she worked. He’s telling her how to make hush puppies that aren’t like sinkers.” He shrugged.

  Hatch stretched out his long legs, the binoculars in his hands. He thought about Nealy and wondered what was going on back in Kentucky. Nick had a date with a new paralegal the firm had just hired. Her name was Annabel Lee, and she was a petite blonde with a mind like a steel trap. She had an infectious sense of humor and Medusa adored her. Within hours of hiring the young woman, Medusa had introduced her to Nick and arranged a date for the two of them. Medusa had said, “This one will give young Nick her heart. She will give him beautiful children and be at his side for all his life.” Hatch believed her because she was never wrong. Still, the question remained, would Nick give Annabel Lee his heart or would there always be a part of him that would belong to Willow Bishop, his first love?

  Hatch peered through the binoculars. How eerie to be watching someone when that someone didn’t know they were being watched. Willow and Zack Leroy were sitting poolside, chatting about the time Zack’s dog Stella broke her two front legs and how Zack had carried her around until she healed. He continued to listen . . .

  “I never had a dog. I always wanted one, though. I travel light, as you know. It wouldn’t have been fair to the animal. As long as you let me love Stella, it will be all right. I think she likes me, Zack.”

  “She does like you, and she don’t cotton to most strangers. But she sees I’m okay with you, so that means it’s okay with her. When a dog don’t like someone, that’s when you have to pay attention. Dogs are keen judges of character. Mighty pretty place you set yourself up in, young lady. I’ve never been anywhere half this grand. We’re halfway around the world. Is this where you’re going to live for the rest of your life?”

  “For now. I think I might like to live in Spain. Put some roots down there and hope for the best. You and Stella are welcome to stay with me forever or for as long as you like. Guess you didn’t think I’d be getting in touch with you so quick, huh?”

  “I was a tad surprised. How did the visit go with the young man you said you were going to visit?”

  “It was okay. It didn’t quite go the way I wanted it to. I didn’t tell him half the things I wanted to tell him because . . . he hates me. I can’t say that I blame him for feeling the way he does. I had some very strange feelings that night. For want of a better word, I’d say they were maternal. He seemed hard and brittle. He was never like that when we were together. He was always kind, considerate, and gentle. Kind of like a lovable puppy you want to take care of. You said he came to visit you with Hatch. What did you think of him, Zack?”

  “Nice-looking young man. An angry young man. He has feelings locked in his heart for you. You shoulda cut him loose.”

  “I tried. Time will take care of everything just the way it will take care of everything back in Vegas.”

  “Maybe not. If the police don’t have any other suspects, and it doesn’t appear they do, they aren’t going to be looking for anyone but you. I watched those crime shows all the time. Rather I should say, I listened to them when my cataracts were growing, and they always call in Interpol when a murder suspect goes on the run. In real life, I don’t know how that works, do you?”

  “No, I don’t know. No one knows where I am. I managed to get here with a mediocre ID, but I’m going to have to get new identification that wil
l really get me anywhere in the world. For the right price, I can get it. These people are masters at forgery.”

  “What’s your plan, honey?” Zack asked. For the life of him he couldn’t remember what her new name was, so it was safer to call her honey and let it go at that. “It’s nice to be lazy and do nothing for a few days but after that, you got to do something. You can’t afford to get careless.”

  “I know. I’m thinking and planning. Did you make up your mind to stay with me or is this just a visit?”

  “I thought I’d stay on awhile. My Social Security and pension go straight into the bank by electronic transfer, so other than that, there’s no need to rush home. I can live anywhere as long as Stella is with me. I suppose we could do some traveling. I like taking pictures of things, now that I can see pretty good.”

  “Yes, we could do that. We could go around the world if you want to. Actually, Zack, we could do whatever you want to do. It will be kind of like a dad and his daughter going on vacation. Just say the word when you’re ready, and we can leave.”

  Hatch rolled his eyes as he looked up at the star-filled night. Willow going around the world was a scary thought. What was even scarier was the thought that the two of them could turn into another Bonnie and Clyde. He continued to listen.