The Last Chance Matinee

by Mariah Stewart

  “What do you think happened to it?” Cara asked, intrigued.

  “The only thing I can think of is that she took it up into the attic. I think she saw it one day and thought, ‘Well, I don’t wear this anymore.’ You know how she took everything she had no use for up to the third floor.” Barney shrugged. “Maybe someday when one of us is looking for something else, we’ll find it. Or when I’m gone, and you girls have the task of cleaning out this house, one of you will find it.” She smiled. “I’ll go on record right now—finders, keepers.”

  “You mean, whoever finds it can keep it?” Nikki’s eyes widened.

  “That’s what I said.” Barney nodded and resumed hoeing the last row of the garden bed.

  “Mom, let’s go.” Nikki stood and pulled her mother’s hand.

  “I’m with you, girl.” Allie took Nikki’s hand and followed her into the house. “Last one up to the third floor is a . . . well, I guess they’re a loser.”

  “Not fair to Des and me,” Cara called back to her.

  “Don’t worry, Cara,” Barney said. “The chances of them finding it today are pretty slim. I’ve been through a lot of that stuff for one reason or another over the years, and I’ve never found it. I think Mother found some obscure place to tuck that box into. But go on and join them if you like. We’re pretty much done here anyway.”

  “Maybe I will. If for no other reason than to make the day go a little faster.” Cara returned her rake to the shed.

  “Why would you want the day to move faster?” Barney asked when Cara headed for the house.

  Cara flashed a smile over her shoulder. “I have a big date tonight, remember?”

  The Hidden Falls Gun Club sat at the end of a long, winding, narrow road in the woods just at the edge of town. The building itself was one story constructed of weathered logs, and had a long covered porch out front. Inside, the log walls were lined with photographs of current and previous club officers, shooting competitions, and stuffed animal heads, mostly antlered deer, though a few foxes and a moose from someone’s Maine hunting trip were in the mix.

  There were rows of folding chairs set up, audience style, and a bar ran along one side of the room.

  “Does anyone really think it’s a good idea to drink and shoot?” Cara whispered to Joe when they first arrived.

  “The bar is only open for special events, like tonight. And the shooting range is closed, so you don’t have to worry that some yahoo is going to get drunk and go out and start taking shots at the targets.”

  The club, he’d told her, was established as a place where gentlemen could come and test their skill.

  “Remember, back when this area was being settled, people hunted, and ate what they brought home. As time went by and the area became more ‘civilized,’ fewer people depended upon hunting for their survival, but skill with a rifle or pistol was still admired. Competitive shooting became a big thing. Guys would bring their weapons out and practice on the shooting range, and then there’d be these competitions to see who could outshoot everyone else. I don’t know about your dad, but I do know that your grandfather and great-grandfather were members.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “They’re both on President’s Row.” Joe pointed to a row of photos. “Want to see?”

  “I do.” Cara followed Joe to the photos.

  “Here you go. Here’s Reynolds One, and here’s Reynolds Two.”

  Cara stared at the photos, a smile on her face. She could see a resemblance to Fritz in his father’s face, but not in his grandfather’s. They were both distinguished-looking gentlemen even in their sporting clothes—white shirts worn under buttoned hunting jackets, and trousers that looked a bit like riding pants. They had each been photographed holding a long rifle, standing in front of the building.

  “Handsome guys,” Cara said. Still smiling, she turned to Joe. “Funny how you never know where you’re going to find family.”

  “In Hidden Falls, you should expect just about anything, if you’re a Hudson.”

  “I guess so. It seems they had their hands in everything.”

  “They did,” Joe told her.

  “Do you come here to shoot?”

  “I’ve used the range from time to time, but I’m not a member. I don’t shoot that often, just enough to keep my eye and hand sharp.”

  “Why would you need to?”

  “Because we’re in an area that has vast, uninhabited forests; because we have bears and cougars and other wild things living very close to us. Just about everyone around here shoots. Because we’re in a town that’s sparsely populated and sometimes things happen and you have to rely on yourself for protection.”

  “Protection from what?” she persisted.

  “The aforementioned bears and cougars.” Joe looked around. “How ’bout if we get our seats now before the place fills up? That way we can save room for Barney and everyone.”

  “How about right over here?” She pointed to an area to the left of the space where the musicians were setting up.

  Joe took her hand and led her to the seats she had her eye on.

  The seats behind them began to fill, and Cara spent a few moments people watching while Joe got something from the bar. It didn’t take long for her to realize her denim skirt and white sweater had been the right choice, since so many other women wore denim with tops that ranged from nice sweaters to sweatshirts. Barney arrived in nice pants and a matching top in dark green that flattered her coloring and hair. Des and Allie both looked fashionably casual, as did Nikki, in tights, a long tunic, and high boots. Watching her family drift through the crowd to join her, Cara felt a little tug at her heart.

  It wasn’t so long ago that she’d walked into Pete Wheeler’s law office and her life had totally changed. She now had sisters she’d never known existed and an aunt whom she had come to love. A niece who made them all smile and who’d found her own place in Cara’s heart. Allie wouldn’t be the only one to shed tears when Nikki left tomorrow morning. Who knew these women would come to mean so much to her in so short a time? Who would have guessed how much richer her life would be after less than a month in Hidden Falls?

  “Hey, this place is so cool.” Nikki grinned as she and the others took the chairs Cara had saved for them.

  “Yes, nothing says ‘fun family outing’ like a trip to the local gun club.” Allie deposited her bag on the ground.

  “I think it’s way cool, Mom.” Nikki took her phone from her pocket and began to take pictures.

  “What are you doing?” her mother asked.

  “Taking pictures so that when I get back to school and we have to talk about what we did this week, I’ll have some killer photos.”

  “I’m sure your friends will be impressed. Especially the ones who went to Cancún and Puerto Rico and the Caribbean over their breaks.”

  “Are you kidding? Mom, anyone can go to those places. Everyone has gone to those places. Same old same old. But no one gets to see places like this. And who else has a theater like ours? Or has a real mystery like the missing emeralds? I mean, that’s like Nancy Drew.”

  “I’m surprised you know who Nancy Drew is.” Barney took the seat next to Nikki.

  “Courtney’s mom had a whole bunch of the books and we took turns reading them last summer.”

  “Somewhere on the third floor is a box with the entire set of Nancy Drews, first editions,” Barney told her. “If you’re here next summer, you can go up and search for them.”

  “Maybe I’ll find the emeralds, too,” Nikki said, clearly taken with the possibility.

  “We’ll have to work on your father to make sure he doesn’t make other plans,” Allie said.

  “I asked him about going to camp, and he said okay. But that was before I came here. I’d rather be here. I want to work with you guys on the theater.” She paused. “I need to take some pictures there, too.”

  “I doubt there’ll be time before you leave tomorrow,” Cara told her. “We can take so
me for you as the renovations progress, so you can keep up with what’s being done.”

  “Thanks. I want to do more reading about theaters from that time. I’m going to write a kick-a . . . a kick-butt paper about it. Maybe I’ll even do an article for the school paper.” She appeared to think that over. “Yeah, that would be epic.”

  Joe returned from the bar with two beers and handed one to Cara.

  “What can I get for you all?” Joe asked.

  “You sit. I’m going to head over there and I’ll bring back drinks,” Barney said. “I see some friends of mine at the bar.”

  Barney took orders, then made her way through the ever-growing crowd. Cara watched as Barney joined a group at one end of the bar and was welcomed with friendly hugs.

  A moment later, Allie said, “I think I’ll head off to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a few.”

  Nikki chatted with Joe about the photos on the walls, and before long, the two of them were off to get a closer look at her ancestors. Cara glanced at the bar and saw a flash of red closing in on the far end. She watched Allie, in her red sweater, maneuver her way through the crowd until she was close enough to the bar to lean on it.

  Cara watched Allie get the attention of the bartender, then lean forward to give her order. A moment later, the bartender placed something in front of Allie, who tossed back one, then a second, of something in a very small glass.

  She’s doing shots. Cara grimaced inwardly. What happened to “I don’t drink when I’m around Nikki”?

  Nikki and Joe were heading back to their seats.

  The musicians arrived and began to warm up. Barney wasn’t kidding when she said there were a lot of strings—guitars and banjos, in particular—and the voices weren’t exactly in harmony with one another.

  Barney returned with everyone else’s drinks and passed them out. “There are a couple of kids around your age here, Nik. My friend Flora’s grandsons and granddaughter are here, and Seth’s cousin’s son and daughter are here as well.”

  “Where?” Nikki craned her neck to take a look.

  “Over by the side door. I suspect that they’ll go on out to the porch once the music starts.” Barney settled into her seat. “You could go introduce yourself.”

  “I don’t know . . .” Nikki stared at the group. “Aunt Barney, who’s the boy in the white sweater?”

  “Oh, that’s Seth’s cousin’s boy, Mark.”

  Cara glanced over at the group of two girls and three boys. She could have guessed exactly which of the boys had caught Nikki’s eye, even without the description of his clothing. He was tall, dark, and handsome. Any young girl would have been interested.

  “I know Mark really well. He’s a junior volunteer fireman. Nik, want me to introduce you?” Joe stood.

  “Ummm. Okay.” Nikki got up, but Allie grabbed her by the arm to hold her back.

  “I’m not so sure you should—”

  “Oh, for the love of Pete, Allie,” Barney said. “Leave the kid alone. It will be good for her to make friends here if she’s coming back over the summer. You can’t expect her to hang out with her mother and her aunts all the time.”

  “I agree with Barney,” Des spoke up.

  “Me too,” Cara chimed in.

  “I don’t remember putting this to a vote.” Allie sighed. “Fine. Just be careful and don’t leave the grounds. And if anyone starts shooting, get your butt back inside.”

  “No one shoots on Saturday nights, Allie,” Barney informed her.

  “Okay, then. You’ve been cleared.” Joe draped an arm over Nikki’s shoulder and led her to the outside aisle.

  Allie and the aunts all watched as the small group of kids made room for Joe and Nikki. A few minutes later, Joe returned alone.

  “Mission accomplished,” he said as he sat next to Cara.

  “I forgot to tell her to meet up with us back here.” Allie started to stand and Des pulled her back down.

  “Allie, don’t embarrass her. She knows where we’re sitting and she knows where Barney’s car is.”

  “So Barney, did you drive Lucille tonight?” Joe turned around in his seat.

  “No, I’d never bring her out here. That dirt road has so many potholes in it. I drove Cara’s car.” Barney sat up straight in her chair. “Oh, they’re going to start. Looks like Bruce is ready to introduce the band.”

  The president of the Hidden Falls Gun Club, Bruce Oliver, took the microphone and introduced the Pennsylvania Mountain Boys.

  The first song was one Nikki had named when she’d been searching online for bluegrass, “Little Rosewood Casket.”

  “Oh my God, it’s even more of a downer than I’d thought it’d be.” Allie scooted to the end of the row, past Nikki’s vacated seat. “I’m getting a drink.”

  “Bring me a club soda?” Cara turned around and whispered.

  “Sure.”

  Afterward, Cara wasn’t able to say for certain that she actually liked what she’d heard—to her, some of the songs were depressing, and she preferred more real harmony. But still, she had to admit she’d enjoyed the experience.

  “Never hurts to try something new,” Barney had said.

  For Cara, one of the evening’s highlights had come when Allie returned from the bar with a beer in one hand and Cara’s club soda in the other to find Ben Haldeman in her seat.

  “You again.” Allie’s eyes blazed. “That seat is taken.”

  Ben had patted the seat next to him and said, “You could sit right here.”

  “My daughter is sitting there.”

  “No, actually, your daughter is outside sitting on the top step. Beautiful girl, by the way. And polite.”

  “Thank you. Now you can go.”

  “Not gonna happen.” He looked directly at the beer in her hand, then at her face, but said nothing further. Allie elected to stand against the wall rather than sit next to Ben.

  A ping from Cara’s phone drew her attention from the minor drama behind her.

  The deed is done, read the text from Darla.

  Cara sat back in her seat, the words stuck in her brain. The deed is done. The deed is done.

  “You okay?” Joe whispered.

  “I’m fine.” A feeling of lightness came over her. She hadn’t expected to feel this happy, but she did. “Excuse me for a minute.”

  Cara found her way to an exit, opened the door, and stepped outside. She took a deep breath of air drenched with the scent of pine and exhaled, a smile on her face.

  Free. I’m free.

  She looked up into a sky dotted with stars and a big moon that had risen behind the trees, and knew she was going to be fine. When she heard the door open behind her, she knew who it would be, and turned to Joe with the smile still on her face.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I just got a text from my friend Darla.”

  Joe looked puzzled. Cara held up the phone so he could read the text.

  “Drew and Amber are now officially man and wife.”

  “Congratulations. How do you feel?”

  She’d been dreading this night for months and had had great anxiety over it. But that was before she’d come to Hidden Falls—more accurately, before she’d met Joe and started to feel like her old self again. Her pre–Drew McCann self. She focused on the moment the way she did when she was going through her yoga workout, and she felt cleansed. Drew had started down a path that didn’t include her, and she was relieved to find that that no longer brought her pain.

  I have my own path, she told herself, and there is no place for him on it.

  “I feel good.” She gazed up into Joe’s blue eyes, eyes that always seemed happy to see her. “Actually, I feel very good.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you.”

  A small group of young people came around the corner and took seats on the porch steps.

  “Hey, Aunt Cara, what are you doing out here?” Nikki called.

  “Just getting some air. We were just about
to go back in,” Cara told her. “How ’bout you?”

  “In a while. We’re just, you know, chilling.”

  “See you inside,” Cara said.

  Joe opened the door and music rushed out.

  “Didn’t they already play this one?” Cara whispered as they returned to their seats.

  “Just one that sounded the same,” he replied.

  Cara looked around for Allie, who’d been standing next to the wall in an attempt to avoid conversation with Ben, but she wasn’t there. Her eyes swept the room and found a red sweater at the end of the bar.

  Cara started out of her seat, and when Joe looked up, she whispered, “Ladies’ room.”

  She went straight to the bar, where Allie had just downed another shot.

  “What are you doing?” Cara whispered, and poked Allie in the back.

  “What does it look like?” Allie barely glanced at Cara.

  “I thought you didn’t drink around Nikki.”

  Allie made a show of looking around. “Nikki’s not around. She’s outside making new friends.”

  “What is wrong with you?”

  “I was thirsty.” Allie gestured for the bartender.

  “If you order one more shot, I’m telling Des and Nikki.”

  Allie’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’re such a Girl Scout, you know that?”

  The bartender pointed to the empty shot glass and looked at Allie. “Another?”

  She sighed deeply. “Make it two club sodas with lime.” She turned to Cara. “Why are you being such a pain in my ass? Why can’t you just mind your own business?”

  “Maybe because, against my better judgment, you’re starting to grow on me.”

  The bartender set the two glasses on the counter. Allie handed one to Cara and said, “Yeah, well, you’re growing on me, too. Like a hangnail. An annoying little hangnail.”

  Allie picked up her glass and headed back to their row. Moments later, Cara followed.

  When she took her seat next to Joe, he whispered, “What was that all about?”

  Cara shook her head. “Just girl talk.”

  Nikki rejoined them just as the band completed their last set, without anyone having to go looking for her, and while it took them almost twenty minutes to leave—Barney had to have “just a quick word” with a number of people—soon they were all headed to the parking lot. Once outside, Barney, Des, Allie, and Nikki went in one direction, Joe and Cara in the other.