Lacy's End

by Victoria Schwimley

  “Yes, but don’t think it’s cheap doing so.” Pammy gave a light laugh. “I have to track him down most of the time, and my international charges are killing my bank account.”

  Brett chuckled. “As if your neurosurgeon husband can’t afford a few phone calls to Iraq.”

  They all laughed, except Lacy. She didn’t see what was so funny. She wished Jake were here. He would ease her discomfort.

  When Pammy’s laughter died to a chuckle, she said. “Don’t fret, little brother, he barely has time for me. I have time to hunt him down, and it doesn’t happen through letters.”

  Allen relaxed. Pammy was the eldest child and the best-natured of the siblings. She was a peacemaker and an organizer. Despite running three charities related to her husband’s neurosurgery practice, she still found time for her son and her family.

  “Charles had to track him down for me last time. He and a platoon of Army men were camped out somewhere and were on radio lockdown—or some such thing like that. He was super pissed that I did it.” She laughed. “As if I really care that my little brother got embarrassed because his big sis was checking up on him. It serves him right for not checking in more often.”

  Brenda leaned over, asking in a low voice, “Who’s Charles?”

  “Pammy’s husband.”

  “He has some old contacts with the Department of Defense,” she clarified for Brenda’s sake.

  “How’d your annual fund-raising dinner for the neurosurgery center go?” Alice asked.

  Pammy brightened. “Wonderfully. We received at least a third more than last year, despite the current budget crisis.”

  Lacy grew weary from her travels and bored with the conversation. “May I go to bed now?” she whispered to her mother.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Pammy said. “Here I am droning on, and you all must have jet lag. Let me get dessert.”

  “May I help?” Lacy asked.

  “Only if you really want to.”

  In the kitchen, Pammy walked to a cabinet and pulled down some plates. She began slicing the cake and putting it on the plates. “Will you get some coffee cups down and set them on that silver tray over there?”

  Lacy obliged. “You must come here a lot,” she said. “It almost seems like the house is yours.”

  Pammy laughed. “I do come here often. I want Ethan to know his grandparents, but it’s not just that. This is home. Do you know what I mean? Growing up on this ranch was wholesome.” She smiled at some memory before continuing. “When I went away to college I was homesick. I thought I would surely return before my first year was over.” She shook her head, filled an insulated carafe with coffee and picked up the tray. “But then I met Charles in my senior year. He was in his final year of medical school at the time. I postponed coming home—just for a semester I told myself.” She laughed again. “Yeah, right,” she said. “I got a job as an office manager for some construction company while Charles did his residency. I kept telling myself I would go home next month but,” she smiled, “next month still hasn’t come.”

  They both laughed and carried two trays filled with cake and coffee into the dining room. Lacy began to pass the plates around while Pammy poured coffee, handing each cup carefully to its recipient. Lacy found she liked Pammy, despite her earlier boredom with the table talk.

  “Lacy and I have been getting to know each other,” she said. “I approve,” Pammy said, making Lacy blush. “Sorry,” Pammy said and touched her lightly. She looked at her brother, sternly. “With a young lady as lovely as this, her mother’s got to be a gem. You’re a fool if you let them get away.”

  Brenda’s eyes widened with shock. Allen frowned at his sister. “Pammy’s a bit outspoken if you haven’t already guessed that.”

  “I say what’s on my mind. What’s wrong with that?”

  Allen shook his head. “This better be your coconut pecan cake. That’s all I have to say.”

  She grinned with pleasure. “Nothing else but my world-famous cake for you.”

  “You’re an excellent cook,” Brenda said, recovering from her embarrassment.

  Lacy was grinning. She was glad the spotlight was off her for the moment.

  “When is Charles getting here?” Allen asked. “He’s the only one who seems to be able to keep you in line.”

  His sister smiled at his teasing. “Are you going to show Brenda and Lacy the pond tomorrow?”

  “It’s darn near snowing,” he protested.

  “A little cold air never hurt anyone,” she said, good-naturedly.

  “Can I go to the pond, Mommy?” Ethan asked.

  “You may,” Pammy said.

  “I’d like to see it,” Lacy chimed in.

  “Let’s all take a walk to the pond,” Brett said.

  “It’s cold out,” Allen protested again.

  “It’s not that cold,” Pammy said shaking her head at her brother.

  “We’re from Nevada!” he reminded her. “You know, desert country.”

  “Hogwash,” Alice said, making everyone laugh, especially Ethan.

  “That’s a funny word, Grandma.”

  “It means your Uncle Allen is trying to get out of walking to the pond tomorrow.”

  Brenda cocked an eyebrow at him, challenging him. “Okay, okay,” he said. “We’ll all take a walk to the pond tomorrow.” He rose from his chair. “Delicious meal, big sis—I’ll help you clean up.”

  “I’ll help too,” Brenda said.

  Pammy waved her back down. “Tonight you’re a guest. You just relax. Tomorrow, I’ll put you to work.” She laughed and left the room, carrying the same tray she had brought in a few moments before—only this time it held a stack of dirty dishes. Allen trailed behind her, carrying the tray Lacy had previously carried.

  “I hope you don’t mind sharing a room,” Alice said, looking first at Lacy and then at Brenda.

  They shrugged. “It’s perfectly fine,” Brenda said.

  Alice looked on the verge of saying something but hesitated. Brenda guessed what it was and put her mind at ease. “Allen and I aren’t in that kind of relationship,” she said. “We’re just good friends for now.”

  The woman visibly relaxed, glad the awkward moment had passed. Brenda smiled at her, easing her embarrassment. “I really do appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. Petoro.”

  “Alice,” she said. “Call me Alice. That goes for you, too,” she added, looking at Lacy. “We’re very informal in this house.”

  “Thanks. Would you mind if we turned in early? I’m exhausted from the trip, and I know Lacy is, too.” Lacy nodded in agreement.

  “Of course. Your room is ready.”

  “I’ll just say goodnight to Allen if you don’t mind.”

  She found her way to the kitchen, coming in on some joke between the siblings. She hadn’t a clue what they were talking about, but she smiled nonetheless.

  Allen was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. She walked over to him, and his arm went around her waist. “Pammy and I were just reminiscing about our youth, when we used to climb down Mama’s rose trellis and sneak into Daddy’s wine cellar.”

  “He used to make his own wine,” Pammy added. “The stuff was awful.”

  This comment started another round of laughter. “Why did we drink it?” Allen asked.

  Pammy gave him a condescending look. “Do you really have to ask that?”

  This time, Brenda was able to join in on the laughter.

  “Lacy and I are off to bed.”

  He nodded. “I’ll bet you’re pretty tired.”

  “Yes.”

  He bent and gave her a light kiss on the mouth. “Goodnight.”

  She turned and left.

  Pammy stared at Allen, puzzled.

  “What?” he asked. He turned his hands in a palm up position.

  “I’m wondering what the story is with the two of you. I guess I kind of expected you two would share your room.”

  He turned from her. “It’s a long, complicated stor
y, and I wouldn’t do that to Mama.”

  “I have time, and she only pretends to care. We all know she was no virgin when she married Daddy.”

  “I’m tired, Pammy. Do we have to do this tonight?”

  Their mother stuck her head in the door. “You two okay in here?”

  “We’re fine, Mama,” they said in unison.

  “We’re just about done,” Pammy added.

  “Dad and I are off to bed. Do you want me to get Ethan tucked in?”

  “Okay. Thanks,” Pammy said. “Say goodnight to Daddy for us.”

  Allen turned and picked up a plate. He played at drying it.

  “That plate’s been dry for a half hour at least.” She took the plate from him and put it in the cupboard. “Out with it,” she said. “Something’s odd in this relationship.”

  Allen just stared at her.

  “Shall I ask Brenda?”

  He dropped his mouth open. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

  “Aren’t I the most outspoken person you’ve ever met?”

  He nodded. “She’s married.”

  Pammy raised her eyebrows. “Go on,” she urged.

  “To the sheriff.”

  “What! Are you crazy?”

  “He abuses her—and Lacy. I’m helping them.”

  “You’re madly in love with her. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “You think I don’t know that?”

  She frowned. “What about Brenda? Does she love you, too—or is it gratitude I see when she looks at you?”

  He sighed. “I hope it’s love.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Don’t tell them, but I honestly don’t know. They have faith in me, but I’m scared to death. I talked her into leaving the bastard, but he’s not going to stop. If anything happens to them, it’s on my shoulders.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. All her life she had been like a second mother to him. She had protected him through school, stood up for him whenever his back was in a corner. However, this was beyond her protection. “You aren’t equipped to handle this alone, Allen.”

  “I’m not alone. I have Angela Martin, Lacy’s social worker, helping me.”

  “You’ve told me about this sheriff before. What makes you think she can stop him?”

  He slammed his fist on the counter. “Damn it, Pammy. I don’t have all the answers.” He gestured wildly toward the upper floor of the house. “I only know that I can’t back down and leave them to their own defenses. Apparently, that hasn’t worked out so well for them.”

  “Be careful,” she whispered.

  He saw that her eyes glistened with unspilled tears. He pulled her against him. “Oh, Pammy, you know what I’m doing is right.”

  “I know it’s you,” she said, choking out the words. “And I know that I would do the same if it were I in your place.”

  She looked up at him. He brushed a tear from her cheek. “I love you, sis, and I promise to be careful.” He kissed her forehead, and they pulled apart.

  They climbed the stairs holding hands. Their fingertips barely touched, as if he were leading her—much as they had done when they were children. Only she had led him, then.

  Lacy lay in bed, listening to the sounds of the house go silent. When the last door had squeaked shut, she gently slithered out of bed and stole to the window. She gazed out over the land spread out before her in endless acres. The glass was cold from the icy temperatures outside, and Lacy’s breath created a mist of fog as it hit the glass. She drew a sad face, to match her mood, into the foggy circle. As she was pulling her hand away, she caught sight of movement near the barn. She wiped the windowpane clean with her sleeve and peered out, her eyes mere inches from the window. She held her breath so as not to cause any more fog. The moon was high, giving a soft-white glow to the barn and the surrounding pasture.

  A dark stallion galloped in circles, his hot breath rising like fog as he expended energy. “What are you doing out?” she asked, her voice low. Her mother stirred in the bed. Lacy turned and looked. Brenda turned on her side, and resumed her even breathing. Lacy looked out the window again, but the horse had grown still. Without him moving, it was difficult to find him in the dark, but she finally located the fog from his breath. He walked toward the barn. She could see him better in the light cast down from the electric bulb that hung above the barn door. “Aw,” she said. “I see the problem.” Someone had left the barn door open, and the stallion had found its way out.

  He turned toward her, stamped his hoof on the ground three times, and bowed his head. Lacy smiled. “My royal court.” She nodded her head, as she had seen princesses on television do, and laughed.

  “Lacy?” her mother called from the bed. She slid out of bed, grabbed a blanket off the end and wrapped it around her daughter. “Honey, it’s freezing. What are you doing out of bed?”

  “Someone left the barn door open, and one of the horses got out.”

  Brenda moved in closer, straining to see. “Where?”

  “He’s over by the barn.”

  “I see him. Should we tell someone?”

  Lacy shrugged. “I would think he’s smart enough to go back inside if he’s cold.”

  “Still…” Brenda said, pondering. She was still pondering when she saw the baby they had seen on the way in move into the stable, next to the stallion. “I don’t like that, Lacy. While the daddy may know better, the baby might not. Let’s wake Allen.” She turned from the window, headed for the door.

  “Wait, Mom. Look,” she said, pointing toward the barn.

  A figure, clad in a dark coat was urging both horses toward the barn. “Is that Jackson?”

  Lacy shook her head. “Who else would it be?”

  “Come back to bed,” Brenda said.

  Lacy did, but as she lay there listening to her mother’s rhythmic breathing, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of danger in the darkness.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Lacy awoke to the sound of new arrivals. She looked at the spot next to her, but her mother was already up.

  She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and closed them. Was there any reason she had to get up at the crack of dawn? Ethan let out an Indian whoop call. Apparently, the crack of dawn was the time Ethan came alive.

  “Ugh…..” She flung back the covers, sighed and rolled onto her side. As she did, she caught sight of the clock. She sat upright, straining her neck muscles in the process. Ten o’clock! That’s hardly the crack of dawn. If she had been at home… She let the thought drift away. She wasn’t at home, and her father was hundreds of miles away.

  She pulled on her jeans and a tee shirt, brushed out her hair, and headed downstairs. Halfway down she came nose-to-nose with a tall, thin boy, who appeared to be about her age.

  “Ow!” he cried, with a look of irritation rather than pain on his face.

  “I’m sorry,” Lacy said.

  “Do you always go barreling through people’s houses?”

  “I said I’m sorry,” she protested.

  She stood back, eyeing him. His dark, shoulder-length hair stood out in spikes. The hair gel companies are making a killing off him. She thought, smiling to herself. She knew immediately, this must be the dreaded Chase, who had caused the clam-up the previous evening. His eyes, emerald colored like his Aunt Pammy’s, were angry—giving them an entirely different appearance than his aunt’s sparkling ones. He wore all black, including black eyeliner. If he were in her home state, the kids would call him a sissy. A large chain hung from around his hips, extending to his back pocket, where it was clipped to his pants by some kind of gadget. His tee shirt sported a large guitar and the name Metallica. So… Allen’s nephew is a metal head. She grinned. Every family had one, and she had just found the black sheep of this family.

  “My name’s Lacy,” she said, extending her hand for a handshake.

  “Don’t care,” he said and continued his run up the stairs, apparently not learning a thing from their earlier collision
.

  She followed the smell of bacon to the kitchen, her growling stomach eager for food. She found everyone gathered there, some with coffee cups, some with empty plates spread before them. Alice greeted her with a warm smile.

  “Good morning, dear. I’ll bet you’re starved.”

  “I am hungry,” she said. “Sorry, I slept through breakfast.”

  “It’s not a problem. I saved you some.” She took a plate from the oven and set it down on the counter.

  Lacy took the stool in front of it and lifted the warming cover from the plate. Her eyes scanned the kitchen, looking for her mother. She caught her eye and noticed the happy glint. She was talking to a man, laughing lightly at something he said. From the looks of him, it appeared he must be Allen’s brother, as the two men shared the same sharp nose.

  Brenda excused herself and came to put her arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “You slept late.”

  “You should have woken me up. I feel funny sleeping so late.”

  She reached up and brushed Lacy’s bangs from her forehead in a sideways sweep. “You’re on holiday. There was no reason not to let you sleep.”

  “I guess that must be Allen’s brother?” she asked, nodding at him, taking a bite of bacon.

  Brenda nodded. “His son’s around here somewhere.”

  “Yes, I ran into ‘metal head’ on the staircase.”

  “Lacy,” Brenda said sharply, “Don’t be rude.” But she grinned all the same. “Bradley says he’s having issues.”

  “It’s all that metal he’s wearing. He’s drawing radioactive rays from the sun into his body.”

  Brenda laughed, drawing attention. She gestured for Bradley to come over. “This is Lacy,” she said.

  Lacy nodded and greeted him. Bradley smiled and offered his hand for a handshake. “It’s nice to meet a normal teenager for a change,” he said, laughing.

  Lacy didn’t smile. She felt far from normal.

  Allen came in, hugged Lacy, and then put his arm around Brenda. “Are we still on for that walk to the pond? The snow is still holding out, but it’s terribly cold.”

  “I’m up for it,” Brenda said.

  “You coming, Mama?” Allen asked.