They rode in silence to the police station. Carrie was grateful that Seth didn’t speak. There was nothing she could say, no way she could explain.
When Seth parked the cruiser, he looked at her through the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry, Carrie. I’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”
She closed her eyes and turned away. It was only a matter of time now. Her past would be discovered, and then the whole town would know.
* * *
Seth paced along the front sidewalk of the police station, waiting for his mother to arrive. A giant jackhammer pounded inside his skull, and his heart beat so violently inside his chest that his ribs ached. He’d handed Carrie over to be questioned and immediately called his mom and the family attorney.
Tension coiled tightly in his gut, building until he wanted to smash something. Anything to untangle his confusion. He’d been convinced the whole anonymous call was a hoax, and he’d gone to the church to prove it. Then Phil had whispered in his ear that he’d checked and discovered Carrie had a sealed juvenile record. The caller said she’d served time for theft. Even if it were true, Seth knew firsthand how easy it was for kids to get into trouble. Carrie had admitted she grew up in a rough neighborhood. Her record could be for something minor.
He refused to believe Carrie was guilty. The whole thing smelled like a setup. But who would want to discredit Carrie? Everyone loved her. She was warm and caring and friendly.
Tiff had been likable, too. It’s how she’d wormed her way into people’s confidence, then tricked them out of their money. And he’d been a dumb, naive kid from small-town Mississippi, too green to understand the real world and how people could use others without regard.
He’d vowed to be more cautious in his relationships. He’d believed he’d be more attuned to the wrong type of woman the next time, but Carrie had slipped under his radar and under his skin.
Was Carrie using him? Was he still a naive idiot?
There was no way he could put Carrie in the same category as Tiff. His former wife had been a self-absorbed pleasure seeker, always looking for a good time and money to spend. Carrie rarely thought of herself. Her motives were always focused on others. There had to be an explanation for her juvenile record and this attack on her integrity.
She was innocent. He refused to accept any other outcome. He’d called his mother and the family attorney to handle the situation. Next, he’d look into Carrie’s brother, Neil. His gut was telling him he was behind this. No one else in Dover would have a reason to tag Carrie as a thief.
More than that, he didn’t want to believe Carrie was guilty. She was his friend, a good friend. He rubbed his eyes. Who was he kidding? He was in love with Carrie. He wasn’t sure when it had happened. Maybe when they’d sat on the kid swings at the park and she’d encouraged him. Maybe it was seeing the love in her eyes for Jack, or the moment when the lights went out and he’d held her in his arms and nearly kissed her. Whenever it was, it had snuck up on him.
What a mess his life was. He was in love with a woman who didn’t want a relationship, and who might be a thief. He had a little boy in his life whom he dearly loved but might not be his. His heart was tangled up with them both, and there was a very good chance that he could lose them both. But first he had to take care of Carrie and somehow keep his feelings hidden while he did it.
* * *
The next half hour of Carrie’s life passed in a blur. Old memories from her youth scorched her mind. She looked around the small room where they’d taken her after her arrival at the police station. A female officer had questioned her. Since then she’d seen no one. She clasped her hands on the scarred tabletop, and her gaze landed on her wrists. Seth had pulled out his handcuffs but hadn’t put them on her. He hadn’t read her her Miranda rights or anything. Was that a good thing or not?
Her mind was only now starting to digest what had happened. Her heart ached as if someone had reached in and torn it from her body. You are my strength. The verse didn’t bring the comfort she’d expected. Why had the Lord let this happen? Why had Neil invaded her life again? How had he even found her?
What did Seth think about her now? He’d never speak to her again, and watching Jack was out of the question. She must be in shock or something because she hadn’t even cried. The tears would form behind her eyes and then never fall. Closing her eyes, she prayed again, looking for comfort but finding only despair.
“Carrie, honey.”
She looked up to find Francie Montgomery coming into the room. The friendly face gave her a flicker of comfort, but it was instantly replaced with a wave of shame and humiliation.
“Carrie. It’s okay, we’ve come to take you home. This is our attorney, Blake Prescott. He’s arranged for your release.”
Carrie stole a glance at the man beside Francie. He was a tall, dark-haired man with keen eyes and a face made for a magazine ad. She looked back at Seth’s mother. Was she really going home? She wanted to hide in her little house, hold Leo and give herself over to the grief. She’d lost everything today.
Suddenly she was wrapped in a warm embrace. Francie patted her back.
“It’ll be all right, Carrie. Blake is going to handle everything. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
“The church doesn’t want to press charges so you’re free to go, Miss Fletcher.” Prescott handed her his business card. “If the authorities want to talk to you again or if you have any questions, call me, day or night.”
She nodded. Would the police come after her again? Francie led her out into the hall and Carrie became aware of all the eyes watching her. She lowered her gaze. If only she could melt into the floor. Could this get any more humiliating? Francie guided her through the building and out to her car. She found herself looking for Seth as they walked through the station, and at the same time hoping she would not see him.
The sight of her little cottage as they pulled up filled her with relief. Leo greeted her happily as they stepped into the living room. She picked him up and held him close to her neck, then faced Mrs. Montgomery. “I don’t know how to thank you. I’m sorry I let you down.”
“Honey, you haven’t let anyone down. No one believes for a moment that you took those computers. It’s absurd.”
Carrie shook her head, tears forming again in her eyes. “No. This will change everything. I’ll lose my job and I’ll have to move again. I really wanted Dover to be my forever home. But after this, everyone will hate me.” Especially Seth.
“I know you feel like that now, but it’s not true. It’ll be a hot topic for a few days, but it’ll pass. You have more friends here than you know. Once the truth comes out, it’ll all fade away.”
Carrie wished that were true. “No. It’ll be like a tag at the end of my name. People will look at me and say, ‘That’s Carrie Fletcher. She has a record, you know. Bless her heart.’”
The truth coming out wouldn’t change anything. Everyone would know she was a thief and believe that she had schemed to rob the church. This was one situation where the truth wouldn’t set her free. It would only send her back to a prison—of shame.
“Are you going to be all right here alone? I can stay if you’d like.”
“No, thank you. That’s very kind, but I need time to process things.”
“I understand. Oh, we’ll get your car to you. And, please, if you need anything call me. I’m always here to help.”
The moment the door closed behind Seth’s mother, the house went still as a tomb. For now it was what she wanted. No people, no noise, nothing but silence. Cradling Leo, she curled up on the sofa and closed her eyes, letting the pain of the day take over. The knock on the door forced her eyes open.
“Carrie. It’s me, Seth.”
No. Not Seth. She wasn’t ready to face him yet. Why was he here? Holding Leo close, quietly she rose, made her way
to the dining room and stood in the corner. If he peeked in the front window or the back door, he couldn’t see her in this spot.
He pounded on the door. “Carrie, I know you’re in there. Please let me in.”
If she ignored him long enough, he’d go away. Wouldn’t he?
“Carrie, honey. We need to talk.”
Talking was the last thing she wanted to do.
“Okay, I’ll give you some time, but I’ll be back, and I’ll pick the lock if I have to.”
There was that protective streak of his again. Doing what he had to for those he cared about. Though she doubted he cared as much now as he might have this morning.
Thankfully, she heard him stepping off the porch. Cautiously she peered out the window in time to see his cruiser disappear down the street. And probably out of her life forever.
* * *
Seth’s mom hurried toward him and wrapped him in a hug the moment he stepped inside her house.
“How’s Carrie? Did you talk to her?”
“She wouldn’t let me in. I’m going to try again later.”
“Good, because she needs you. This has been a terrible shock to her. Poor thing. I hope you get the scoundrel who did this.”
“I will. I think it was her brother.”
“Why would he want to frame her like that?”
Seth sank into a chair at the breakfast table, clasping his hands in front of his chin. “Not sure. She’s hinted that her childhood was difficult, and that her brother locked her in a closet. She’s been afraid of the dark ever since. She sleeps with all the lights on.”
“That sweet woman doesn’t deserve any of this.”
When he didn’t comment, his mother took a closer look. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Carrie does have a juvenile record. The caller said it was for theft, but I don’t know the details since the file is sealed.”
“And that bothers you? Why?”
Seth searched for a place to start. “My ex-wife, Tiff. She was a crook, Mom. She tricked people out of their money, scammed them out of their identity. I fell for her hard, and she wasn’t what I thought.”
“And you think you’ve done the same thing with Carrie?”
“I have. I would have staked my life on her being a decent law-abiding citizen, and now I found out she’s a thief. I seem to always pick the wrong women.”
“Okay. Stop right there. I’m sure it was shock, but you’re forgetting that record is from her childhood. It could be for anything. But it doesn’t matter. What does is who she is now, today.”
“I don’t know...”
“Have you told her about your less-than-noble past? You’re not in a position to look down on anyone else’s transgressions, son.”
“I’ve told her most of it.”
“Then she could have the same reaction to your sins as you’re having to hers.”
The question hit him hard. He was being harsh and judgmental. To the woman he’d claimed to love.
His mom crossed her arms over her chest. “How long did it take you to figure out the woman you married was the wrong one? That she wasn’t what you thought?”
He shrugged. “A couple weeks.”
“And how long have you known Carrie?”
“A month or so.” Her point wasn’t lost on him. He’d known Carrie long enough to see she was all she appeared to be. He knew that in his heart, but he’d been burned once before.
“Son, you may not know it yet, but you’re in love with Carrie, and I for one am delighted. She makes you happy, you smile more and she complements your more serious nature. And she loves Jack. She’s a woman of faith. Aren’t those things more important than whether she made a mistake in the past?”
Seth ran a hand through his hair. Everything his mother said was true, but after his big mistake with Tiff, how could he trust himself to choose the right woman?
His mom laid her hand on his. “You could have a good future with Carrie, maybe even build a home on your land and be close to me.”
Seth frowned. “I don’t have any land, remember? Another part of my life I squandered away.”
“Well, actually that was my money you lived off in Vegas.”
“What are you talking about?”
She exhaled a deep sigh. “Your father and I knew you’d come to your senses eventually, and we knew you’d regret selling your inheritance. So, I took out a loan on the real estate business and we told you it was from the sale of your property.”
Seth leaned back in his chair, trying to absorb what she was telling him. “Mom, I had no idea. I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing. It’s what parents do for their children.”
He grasped his mother’s hand. “Mom. I’ll pay you back. Every cent plus interest.”
“I don’t want your money, sweetheart. Just promise me you’ll build a home on that land someday and be happy. Hopefully with Carrie.”
* * *
Seth was back. Carrie looked out her front window as a cruiser pulled up at the curb and Seth got out. Why couldn’t he just leave well enough alone? Hadn’t the day been painful enough?
He knocked on the door. She stood still and hoped he’d go away like he had earlier.
“Carrie, I’m not leaving, so you might as well let me in.”
She ran her hands through her hair. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could move on. She opened the door, noticing Seth was out of uniform. He wore jeans and a dark T-shirt with a small Dover Police logo on the front. The shirt emphasized the breadth of his chest and the well-developed biceps that strained the fabric. He looked so handsome, and she wanted to bury her head in his chest and feel the sense of security she’d known there. But she couldn’t.
“Are you going to leave that police car parked in front of my house all night? You might as well tell everyone a criminal lives here.” Her words came out harsher than she’d intended.
“No. It’s telling everyone you’re protected. I want anyone who might drive by here to know you’re being watched.”
“You mean like Neil?” She tried to meet his penetrating gaze, but only managed a flicker of connection before shame rushed through her again. He took a step toward her, and she spun around and headed for the kitchen. She couldn’t face him. “I need to let Leo in.”
“You can’t put this off forever, Carrie.”
Being alone with Seth was the last thing she wanted right now. But postponing this conversation wouldn’t help, either. She wanted this done. Finished. Then she could start putting her life back together. Leo scratched at the door and she let him in, her nerves on edge as she waited for Seth to start demanding answers.
“Carrie. Look at me.”
She shook her head, humiliating tears spilling from her eyes. Why did they come now when she wanted to look strong and confident for Seth?
Gentle hands grasped her shoulders and pulled her around. She opened her eyes, but kept them focused on the center of his chest. She concentrated on the steady rise and fall of his muscular torso. He pulled her close, lifting her chin with his hand and forcing her to meet his gaze. Once she looked into his eyes she was lost.
“Carrie, I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me for what I did?”
Forgive him? No, she needed to ask for his forgiveness. “It wasn’t your fault.”
With one gentle tug he wrapped her in his arms, cradling her head in his palm. “I can’t imagine how scared you were. I wanted to hold you, not take you into custody. I knew you were innocent, but I don’t understand why someone would want to accuse you and set you up like that.”
The comfort she found in his arms was sweeter than anything she’d ever known. Seth made her feel protected, treasured and loved. But she had to tell him the whole truth now,
and then he wouldn’t want to comfort her—he’d want to distance himself.
“I know who.” She pushed away, searching for breathing room. “My brother, Neil.”
“Your brother? Why would he do that?”
“He came by the other night wanting money to leave the country. I turned him down.”
“That’s what was bothering you that night. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have done something.”
“I didn’t want you to know about...him.” She walked into the living room. Seth followed close behind.
“So you think Neil set you up to force you to help him? Why?”
“I think he’s angry that I created a new life for myself and he wants to ruin it. He’s always blamed everyone else for his failures.”
“Is your brother the only one who knew about your record?”
She nodded, a rush of heat filling her neck. “And my friend Mavis, of course.”
“Then he’s probably the one who told us to look for your file under your real name. Carrie Lynn Overton.”
Carrie’s blood turned to ice. “You read my file?” Carrie sank onto the sofa, stunned. “I thought it would be sealed forever and no one would ever know. But I always feared it would come out eventually. Now it has.”
Seth joined her on the sofa. “No one opened your file. That would take a court order. But I would like to know what happened. Help me understand what’s going on.”
No need to keep the truth from him any longer. She’d lost everything she cared about. All she could do now was come clean and let the Lord sort it all out. “Neil was my guardian after our dad abandoned us. But he wasn’t much more than a kid himself. He tried his best to support us but it was hard. He got in with a bad crowd and started robbing to put food on the table. Even that wasn’t enough, so he got me involved, too. He told me if I didn’t steal he’d leave me, too, and I’d be all alone. I was only fourteen. I couldn’t work, didn’t have an education. I was terrified of being left alone. So I did what he told me. Mainly I acted as a distraction while he and his friends did the stealing. I’d go in first and either ask for help or break something, then they would come in and rob the place. Sometimes I shoplifted things. One night we went to a small grocery store, only this time Neil had a gun. I’d never seen him with one before. I was supposed to distract them by stealing something, only it all went wrong and the store manager was shot and we were all caught. I had merchandise in my hand, so I was sentenced to a year in juvenile detention. Neil got fifteen years in prison.”
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