by Jan Washburn
The boys were fidgeting by the time he returned to the SUV. Uncle Leif, hurry up, Mark pleaded. We won’t have any time to play before bedtime.
Leif would move the world for his nephews, but tonight they would have to wait. Sorry, guys, but we have to make one more stop before we go home. I’ll ask your Mom to let you stay up an extra half hour tonight.
Did you find the ring? Luke piped up.
I found it. I want to return it to Miss Dunn tonight. Mark, I’m glad you saw what happened, but why didn’t you say something when we were looking for it?
Mark hesitated. Miss Dunn—Miss Dunn doesn’t like me. I was afraid she would say I was lying, and nobody would believe me.
Mark was probably right. That’s OK, pal. Buckle up again. This won’t take long.
Sheila lived with her parents in a comfortable old farmhouse about a mile from the church. Leif suppressed the impulse to hammer the door down. He knocked politely,
Sheila answered his knock. She gave him a radiant smile. Leif, what a nice surprise. Come in.
Not right now. He gritted his teeth. The boys are in the car. I just came to return your stolen property. He reached for her hand and slapped the ring into her palm.
The smile vanished as the color drained from her face. How—where—where did you find it?
You know where, he snapped.
Well, I—I ... She looked down at the ring, avoiding his eyes.
You owe Tracy an apology. You are going to call her tonight. Not tomorrow. Right now.
Yes, Leif, she whispered.
Leaving her shaken, in the open door, he turned his back and stamped down the stairs to the SUV.
****
The days were growing longer, and it was not quite dark when Tracy reached home after handbell practice. Time to take Thor outside. Maybe a little fresh air would blow away her gloom.
Thor loved the back yard. He always started by racing to the stone wall at the back of the property with his big feet flopping, and then trotting back to sit at her feet with his tongue lolling happily. And then he chased anything that moved—butterflies, insects, dragonflies. He even looked wistfully up at the birds.
Sometimes she threw a ball for Thor to chase, but instead of retrieving it, he would parade around the yard holding the ball in his mouth. He didn’t grasp the concept of the word fetch.
By the time darkness fell and she led the puppy inside, she felt a little more cheerful. No matter what Sheila Dunn thought, she had a lot of allies. She hoped Leif was still in her camp although no one could tell that from his icy attitude.
The ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts. She glared at the phone, debating whether or not to pick up the receiver. She was in no mood for conversation. Several times in the past week, she had answered the phone to hear nothing but a fast click and then a dial tone.
If this is another of those hang-up calls, I’m going to scream. It might be some absent-minded caller who kept dialing the wrong number. Or maybe it was one of Keith Bradford’s fans—some good citizen trying to drive her out of Allerton.
Or what if it was someone trying to find out if she was at home? Ordinarily she would still be at church at this hour on a Wednesday evening. Could it be Rick Timmons? That thought sent a blip of alarm across her radar screen. She could be in danger if Rick was getting desperate.
She needed to get caller I.D. Of course, Rick would be smart enough to make his calls from a pay phone. A better idea would be to replace Jeff’s broken answering machine. The machine would screen the calls, or if nothing else, it would cut off the endless ringing.
The phone continued to ring. Someone was very persistent. It has to be Mom returning my call, she decided. She forced herself to pick up the receiver.
Hi, Mom, she said, trying to inject a note of cheer into her voice.
Tracy, this is Sheila Dunn.
Not again. Tracy braced herself for another tirade about her dishonesty. Yes, Sheila, she said coolly, waiting to hear the newest accusations.
Tracy, I owe you an apology.
A what? She must be hallucinating. Did Sheila really say the word apology?
Leif found my ring. Sheila hiccupped as though she had been crying.
Leif? Tracy began to doubt her hearing. Where—where was it?
It was still inside my glove in my folder.
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that. No one could imagine how glad. It’s such a beautiful opal.
Yes, I’m very relieved. I thought you would want to know right away. There was a decided quaver in Sheila’s voice.
Thank you so much for calling. Tracy was ready to celebrate with a victory parade around the living room.
I’ll see you later. Sheila ended the call abruptly.
Thor. Tracy flung her arms around the puppy. Can you believe it? Leif came to the rescue again.
Thor wagged his whole body in delight. He seemed very pleased by her announcement. She hummed the chorus of Thank You, Lord while she found a special treat for the puppy.
By the time she called her mother, cleaned up the kitchen, and watched the evening news, Tracy was ready for bed. The ups and downs of this evening’s emotional roller coaster had left her limp. Thor eyed her bed, but she conned him into his own spot in the corner of her room. He trampled his blanket and settled down, cuddling up to his rag doll.
She usually lulled herself to sleep by reading until her eyes closed. But no reading tonight. She was too tired to pick up a book. She turned off the lamp on her nightstand and then lay there wide awake, staring into the darkness.
She found herself mulling over Sheila’s story. Something didn’t add up. How on earth did Leif find the opal ring? He was already sitting in his SUV when Tracy left the building. And she thought Sheila had checked her gloves. Oh, well, Sheila had her ring back and more importantly, Leif knew she was innocent. That was what mattered. She closed her eyes and gave in to her weariness.
A ferocious racket blasted her out of a sound sleep. She sat bolt upright, staring into the darkness. She could barely see Thor at the dormer window, his paws on the window seat, barking ferociously. He sounded like a whole pack of hounds.
With trembling hands, she turned on the table lamp. Either the house was on fire or Timmons had come to reclaim the jewelry. She tiptoed to the window and peered out into the night.
The glow of the streetlight was dimmed by the giant oak tree. It gave just a faint bit of illumination to the front yard. She made out a shadowy figure moving quickly away from her car. Over the pounding of her heart and the din of Thor’s barking came the roar of an engine and then the screech of tires as a car sped away.
Tracy’s breath came in short, fast gasps. She sat down heavily on the floor and forced herself to take a long, deep breath. Thank you, Lord.
Thor nudged her with a cold wet nose. Still shaking, she ruffled his fur. Good dog, she whispered.
She sat there unmoving, staring at the clock. Two in the morning. No point in calling Leif now. It was too late for him to do anything tonight. Timmons was at least five miles away by now. But Leif had told her to call anytime, day or night. He would give her an earful if she didn’t let him know about the incident.
She mustered the strength to move to the edge of her bed and grope for the phone. She punched in Leif’s number with unsteady fingers.
He answered on the first ring. Chief Ericson. He sounded as alert as if he had been waiting for her call.
Leif, she managed, it’s Tracy. Thor woke me up. Someone was here—in the driveway—by my car. He’s gone now.
Are you all right? Alarms rang in Leif’s voice.
I’m a little shaky, she admitted.
Assured she wasn’t hurt, Leif assumed cop mode again. Were you able to identify the person? Was it Timmons?
I’m sorry, Leif. It was too dark. All I could see was a shape running away and then a car taking off.
Can you identify the car—the make, the style? He rattled off questions faster than a quiz show host.
No, he didn’t turn on his headlights. Calmer now Tracy tried to recreate the picture of that car speeding away. It was a dark color, but that’s about all I could see.
Which way did he go?
Away from town, toward Plymouth. At least she could tell him something. He was really burning rubber.
Leif hesitated. Do you think he had time to get into your car?
I don’t think so. Thor really earned his keep tonight.
OK. I’m coming by to check the tapes and see if that back seat has been moved. Don’t go outside.
No chance of that. Tracy doubted she would have the nerve to go outside for a week.
Right now I want you to program your cell phone with my number on speed dial. If anyone so much as looks cross-eyed at your car, I want you to push that button.
Tracy gave him a shaky laugh.
Now, go back to bed and get some rest. He paused. Sleep tight.
Right, she groaned. There was as much chance of her sleeping tonight as there was of Sheila Dunn sending her a bouquet of roses.
Thor wanted to join her in bed, and she was tempted to let him, but she managed to coax him back into his corner. She crawled wearily under the covers. She was still staring at the ceiling when morning came.
****
Tracy loaded her groceries into the back seat of her car. Just looking at that back seat cushion gave her a creepy feeling. Leif found the tapes were still in place. Apparently Timmons did not have time to discover that his loot was gone.
Pulling out of the store parking lot, she glanced at her watch. Ouch. She was running out of time. Grocery shopping took longer than she expected. So much to do, but she was due at work in an hour. She would have to settle for putting away the food that needed refrigeration and leave the rest of her load for later. But Thor would need a visit to the backyard and she had to change into her uniform.
She groaned aloud as she approached her house. Keith’s Maserati sat in her driveway again. What did the man want now? Why wasn’t he in Boston making speeches or passing laws or whatever state representatives were supposed to do?
She parked her car in the swale in front of the house. She didn’t want to park behind Keith and block his exit. He was already getting out of his car with that phony smile on his face.
Snatching up the bag of frozen foods, she hurried up the driveway. Keith, she said coolly, I’m sorry. I don’t have time for a visit right now. I’m late for work.
But we need to talk, he protested. I’ll just come in for a minute.
No, you can’t come in. I’m in a hurry.
Keith’s frown revealed his irritation. She should know that common folks just didn’t say no to Mr. Distinguished State Representative Bradford. I have some important information for you.
Then tell me now or call me tomorrow. She would not relent.
Keith hesitated, but finally seemed to get the message. She was not going to let him in the door. Well, the good news is that I received the check from the insurance company for Jeff’s car.
That’s good. She wondered why that news required a personal visit.
They gave him book value plus a little extra for the special fittings. I’m sure the car was worth more than that, but you know how these insurance companies operate.
Yes, I do. Tracy shifted the grocery bag to the other arm.
I’ll deposit the check in Jeff’s account tomorrow.
That will be fine. She tapped her foot impatiently.
Now the bad news, Judge Whitby recommended that the court deny your petition to be named conservator of Jeff’s assets.
Tracy tried not to let Keith see her disappointment. I expected that.
There’s a possibility that I’ll be appointed conservator, so we can continue to work together. He gave her his trademark sly wink.
The thought of seeing more of Keith was enough to make her ill, but she swallowed the sour taste in her mouth. I understand. She gritted her teeth. Is that all? I really have to go.
Well, there’s one more item that might be of interest to you. Keith seemed to be licking his chops over this last tidbit.
And what is that?
Before the court appointed Judge Whitby as guardian ad litem, your dear friend the police chief was offered the job. He turned it down.
That hurt. Tracy felt the pain like a knife in the heart. If Leif really believed in her, why would he refuse the chance to help her? She forced herself to keep a poker face, trying to ignore Keith’s triumphant smile.
Thank you for the information. She lifted her chin. I’ll see you in church. Turning her back so that Keith couldn’t see her tears, she marched briskly to the front door.
More than Great Riches
CHAPTER XIV
Thor leaned contentedly against the old plaid sofa as Maggie scratched his neck. He was a sucker for anyone who found that magic spot under his collar.
Maggie, I was such an idiot. Tracy bit back tears. Some hurts were too deep for pain. She felt hollow inside – an emptiness at the core of her being. I vowed I would never give another man the power to hurt me. And then I fell for Leif.
You’re not an idiot, Maggie broke in.
You think not? I was actually dumb enough to believe he felt something special for me. And he seemed so different from other men—a real Christian, honest and straightforward. But he’s just like the rest of the male species. When you think you can count on them, they bail out.
Tracy, you’re not stupid, you’re blind, Maggie insisted. Leif is crazy about you. Haven’t you seen that look in his eyes when he sees you, like he’s melting inside?
Melting? That was a laugh . All Tracy saw in his eyes was suspicion. If he’s so crazy about me, why didn’t he accept the appointment as guardian ad litem. How can he say he believes in me and then turn down a chance to help me?
I’m sure he had a good reason. Maggie always played attorney for the defense.
But Tracy shook her head. I should have known from the start that it was all an act. He was always around, playing Good Samaritan—driving me to the hospital, driving me to church, driving me to work. And little dum-dum me—I was flattered by all the attention. But he was just being a cop, keeping an eye on a dangerous criminal who might corrupt his precious town.
Maybe you were just a suspect at first, Maggie reasoned, but don’t you see? When he got to know you, he found the real Tracy behind all the rumors.
So, he let them sic Judge Whitby on me.
Tracy, use your head. Leif must have turned down the appointment weeks ago, before he really knew you.
Well, all I know, is I’ll be glad when Rick Timmons is behind bars and Mr. Police Chief isn’t hovering over me every minute. If it weren’t for Jeff, I’d go back to New York and forget I ever heard of Allerton.
You don’t mean that, Maggie protested.
Tracy hesitated. No, she didn’t mean it. Three years ago she had run away from Allerton, too much of a coward to face a man’s betrayal. But she would never run again. Allerton was home. No matter what Leif did or said, her church family had rallied around her. She didn’t want to leave Maggie again, and she wouldn’t abandon Rev. Jim and her bell ringers.
Maggie frowned as she glanced at her wristwatch. Tracy, I don’t like leaving you like this, but I have to go. We’ve got a new boarder arriving this afternoon. But, I’m going to tell you one last thing. Leif Ericson is in love with you.
Sure he is. Tracy made a face. But thanks for letting me unload on you.
That’s why God invented friends. Maggie gave her a hug at the door.
Tracy fought back tears as her best friend drove off. So Maggie thought Leif was in love with her. As if. She knew one thing for sure—she was in love with Leif—head over heels, and there was nothing she could do about it.
But she wouldn’t give in. She closed the door and straightened her shoulders. No more weeping and moping. Broken heart or no, she would concentrate on something else. She needed to mark the colors on the new ha
ndbell music.
Some of her ringers were learning to actually read the notes, but a few of them still looked for those red and blue circles. She dreaded their next rehearsal. Could she bury her feelings while she looked at Leif’s stony face?
Her gloom was shattered by the ringing of the phone. She was in no mood to talk right now, but she hadn’t found time to hook up the new answering machine. It was still sitting in the box. She should probably tell Leif about the hang-up calls, but she had no intention of telling Leif anything, ever again.