‘I wasn’t sure what to put in yours so I went with everything.’ A tiny smile pulled at her mouth. ‘Did I overdo it?’
He cautiously peeled back one corner. ‘Can’t say I’ve ever had butter, mayonnaise and mustard on a sandwich at the same time but it’s interesting.’ Bravely he kept eating and waded his way through the whole thing, all the time sensing her watching him. Tom drank the last of the lemonade. ‘Thanks for lunch. I’d better get back to work because the logs won’t cut themselves.’ He noticed she’d barely touched her own sandwich. ‘Weren’t you hungry?’
Fee shrugged. ‘Not really. I’ll put it in the fridge and eat it later.’
‘You gonna be okay?’ He stood and rested his hand on her shoulder, the tension radiating through his fingers.
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’
‘No clue.’ Tom prepared to make a swift retreat. ‘You know where I am if you need anything.’ He left, striding off back to his own cabin without a backward glance.
Fee clasped her hands over her face and sank back into the rocking chair.
If she didn’t do something constructive she’d be tempted to raid the emergency supply of sleeping pills she’d tucked into her bag before getting on the plane. Fee gathered their plates and glasses before hurrying back indoors. Before she could change her mind she put the dishes by the sink and went back outside. A brisk walk around the lake might take her mind off Tom plus get her some much needed exercise. Hopefully it’d also give her an appetite to face eating lunch on her return.
Half way around she pushed her worries aside and started to enjoy herself. Fee slowed her pace and a tiny grey squirrel scurried in front of her toes. The dappled sun trickled in through the trees to brighten the fiery autumn leaves and she made a snap decision. To hell with Doctor Michael. Tomorrow she’d go into Pine Ridge and buy a camera. It didn’t matter if it was the cheapest on the market – anything would do rather than missing capturing the photos she framed in her head everywhere she went.
When she made it back to Tom’s cabin she hurried on by. Fee searched in her pocket for her keys but remembered she’d been too agitated when she left to think about locking up. Idiot.
‘Good afternoon, my dear. Isn’t it a beautiful day?’
She jerked around, coming face to face with a white-haired older man. He gave her a kindly smile and gestured towards her cabin.
‘Lovely places, aren’t they?’ He held out his hand. ‘Abel Burton. My wife, Emily, and I are in Sevier cabin next door.’
Fee managed to introduce herself and make polite conversation for a couple of minutes.
‘I’d better be going or my better half will wonder where I’ve got to. If she sees me chatting up a pretty young woman she might get jealous.’ His cheerful grin made it clear there was only one woman for him and a pang of envy shot through Fee.
She didn’t have any clue how people did the loving-for-life thing. All she’d seen growing up was a constant rotation of men through her mother’s life, most not staying long enough for Fee to remember their names. Maddy Winter’s philosophy was that being tied to one man was unnatural.
‘It was very nice to meet you.’ She smiled and hurried away before her neighbour could decide to invite her for dinner or something equally sociable. From now on she’d keep to herself as she’d intended to in the first place.
Chapter Eight
Tom purposely left Fee’s cabin until last. He’d made neat stacks of wood behind all the other cabins during the afternoon and there was only hers left to do. He was wary of going to the door again but if he sneaked into the backyard she might freak out and come after him with the knife. Tom tried to imagine how he’d explain to his father that he’d been stabbed by one of the guests. Hank would roar with laughter and call him every name under the sun.
A couple of minutes later he stood at Fee’s door but before he could knock she flung it open.
‘Are you psychic?’
What was the woman talking about now?
‘I couldn’t decide whether to tell you or not.’ She frowned. ‘I’m probably making something out of nothing.’
Tom removed his hat and scratched his head. ‘Okay. Let’s start again. I’ll tell you why I’m here then you tell me what the heck you’re jabbering on about.’ As he explained about the wood delivery a shy smile illuminated her serious features.
‘Oh, God, now you must be officially convinced I’m mad,’ she groaned. ‘Thanks for bringing the wood. The evenings are cooling off and I might be tempted to light a fire soon.’
‘No problem. Now what were you talkin’ about?’ Tom asked but she only nibbled her lip. ‘Is something wrong with the cabin?’
‘No, not exactly.’ She conceded. ‘I went for a walk earlier and forgot to lock up.’ Fee held up her hands. ‘I know you told us to and I’m sorry.’
‘Hey, I’m not going to throw you in jail. I only mentioned it for your own safety.’
Fee idly kicked the mat. ‘I came back into the kitchen planning to finish my sandwich, but … it wasn’t there.’
He wouldn’t dare to suggest she might’ve thrown it in the trash, or misplaced it. The normally even-tempered Gina was furious at him once when he asked if her missing car keys might still be in the ignition. The fact that’s where they turned out to be didn’t help.
‘And yes, I’m sure I put it in the fridge. I’m not an idiot and I’m not hormonal.’
‘I didn’t …’
‘Yes, you did,’ she retorted. ‘I’ve worked with enough bloody men to know the signs. I’m pretty sure Tennessee squirrels aren’t smart enough to open refrigerator doors either.’
‘What’s your theory?’ he sighed.
‘Somebody came in here while I was out and ate it?’
It took all Tom’s waning self-control not to laugh. ‘Right. Like who? One of my starving guests?’
‘Don’t mock me. Maybe your escaped prisoners?’
It suddenly clicked that she was scared stiff, but would die rather than admit it to him. ‘Hey, I’m real sorry. Sometimes I’m a dumbass.’
‘Only sometimes?’ A hint of a smile pulled at her mouth and he didn’t mind appearing to be a moron if it lightened her worry.
‘Maybe.’ Tom grinned. ‘Did you notice anything else out of place?’
‘I don’t think so, but I haven’t really …’ Fee’s voice trailed away.
‘Do you want me to take a look around?’
‘Would you mind?’
Tom felt even worse. He’d no right to make her feel a nuisance.
‘Of course not. Do you want to stay out here or walk through with me?’
‘Um, come with you, I think,’ she mumbled but didn’t move out of the way.
‘It might help if you let me inside,’ Tom suggested and she awkwardly stepped back out of the way. He walked in past her and quickly checked out the living room. The only unusual thing to strike him was the lack of any personal possessions lying around. His next stop was the bathroom which held none of the usual feminine clutter. Tom stepped back out and headed for the bedroom where everything was equally pristine. Fee’s yoga mat, neatly rolled up in one corner, and a small stack of books on the dresser were the only signs of occupation. At a guess he’d say Fee had spent so long living in temporary, confined spaces she didn’t know what to do with a whole house to herself. Without a word he headed back towards the kitchen and she followed along behind.
‘Everything looks good to me.’
She nodded. ‘I thought it would. Maybe I really am going a little crazy.’
Tom stopped in front of her and settled his hands on her shoulders. ‘You’re not crazy. I believe you when you said the sandwich was there and now it’s not. I don’t have an explanation, but that doesn’t mean you’re loopy.’
‘If you say so.’ The smile didn’t reach her worried eyes.
‘When I questioned witnesses I made a point of believing them unless proved otherwise. It tended to work better than assuming they were
mistaken or lying.’
‘Witnesses?’
Shit. You should’ve kept your mouth shut. ‘Yeah, I was a cop for a while,’ Tom admitted.
‘Doing this job must be quite a change. I wouldn’t think it was as challenging?’
Getting through each day is challenge enough for me sometimes.
‘Sorry. That’s none of my business. Anyway thanks for checking and I’ll be extra careful about locking the cabin from now on. I’ll let you get on with your wood delivery.’
He’d politely been given his marching orders. ‘No problem, and don’t hesitate to call if you’re concerned about anything else.’
Fee nodded and quietly closed the door in his face.
Get on with your work, and stay well away from tempting Englishwomen with broken souls. You don’t do fixing jobs on people any more.
Fee covered her face with her hands and allowed the wave of embarrassment to roll through her.
If Tom hadn’t turned up with the wood she’d have kept her mouth shut about the disappearing sandwich. She made a pledge not to speak to Tom Chambers again for at least twenty-four hours. That should cure her ridiculous curiosity about the good-looking loner with more hidden levels than a complicated video game. A police officer? His revelation made complete sense considering his controlled, ultra-aware manner. In the same way as most military veterans the job never completely left them. She’d love to discover what made Tom quit his job and retreat here in the woods. Odds were that there was more to it than upholding the Chambers’ family legacy.
You’re not interested, remember?
Fee dug around in her pocket and pulled out Doctor Michael’s timetable. Wonderful. It was nearly mind-numbing yoga time again to be followed by a healthy supper and more “improving” reading. The only thing this would achieve was boring her to death which she supposed would be some sort of result.
In her head she heard Pierre’s mocking laughter. They’d shared the same world-weary, ironic sense of humour and an awful lot more over the years. If he were here now he’d toss her yoga mat out of the window and pull out a bottle of whisky. But their dangerous lifestyle led her to this lonely place, struggling to find out who and what she wanted to be for the rest of her life. Fee had no nonsensical fantasies about marriage and children. If the sights she’d seen in her travels around the world hadn’t already cured her of such thoughts Pierre’s betrayal had slammed the door and thrown away the key.
She came close to believing him when he claimed to love her but after his sudden death the lie was tossed back in her face. Fee somehow managed to shake Helene Marchande’s hand at the elaborate Parisian funeral and utter polite commiserations to the widow she hadn’t known existed. When Helene showed off pictures of one-year-old Ethan, the spitting image of Pierre, she’d fainted on the spot and her collapse was put down to sorrow over the death of the man she’d worked with for many years. Fee was never sure if Helene knew about their affair but by that point it’d hardly mattered.
Tonight she couldn’t face yoga and healthy food could take a running jump but that didn’t mean she was stupid enough to eat the pizza she craved. She would risk her favourite childhood supper of cheese on toast, made with low-fat cheese and wholegrain bread and compared to the bad old days her stomach should feel well-treated.
Fee wondered why she didn’t feel better about sending Tom away. Doing the right thing often sucked.
‘Uncle T, up, now.’ Lulu giggled and tugged at Tom’s leg. He swung her through the air to sit on his shoulders, being careful to crouch so her head didn’t bump the ceiling.
‘That child has you wrapped around her little finger,’ Aunt Ina scoffed as she bustled out from the kitchen carrying several plates of food.
‘Hey, it’s what beautiful girls do.’ Tom laughed.
She stopped in her tracks and gave him a searching stare. ‘What about if they’re over the age of three?’
Tom kissed the top of his aunt’s head. ‘It works when they’re any age far as I’m concerned,’ he joked, not stupid enough to fall for her obvious probing.
He’d done his usual chores around the cabins this morning and had a quick word with Abel Burton but managed to avoid his nemesis. There was a new family arriving from Florida later so he’d checked everything was clean and ready for them. When he returned to Black Cherry he’d take back some grocery essentials to leave in the new guests’ cabin – all part of the service he provided. Tom had made sure to finish in time for lunch at the cafe to get his fill of Friday’s special fried catfish.
‘Mama! Down, Uncle T, down.’
Lulu’s piercing yell deafened Tom and he lowered the little girl carefully to the floor. He watched with unabashed envy as she raced to the door and flung herself at a smiling Mary-Jo. Tom’s throat tightened. No child would ever run to him that way.
If you’d been the one to die would you have wanted Gina to be alone the rest of her life, and abandon her dream of becoming a mother? His grandmother’s sharp comment the last time he visited slammed back into him. He’d dutifully replied the way she expected but hadn’t fooled her.
‘You alright, son?’
His father’s gruff voice startled Tom and he jerked around to face the man who’d always seen right through all his kids.
‘Yeah, fine. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Hank Chambers’ thick, dark grey eyebrows rose up to the ceiling and he snorted. ‘Maybe because you look as sorry as when I walloped you for eating half the cake your mama made for the church sale.’
Tom hadn’t forgotten because it’d been the last time he cried until Gina died. ‘Cut it out, Pop. I’m good. Any news of Kemp and Watling?’
‘Nope, the trail’s gone cold. We’re keeping an eye on Kemp’s family home but the men could be anywhere by now. Won’t hurt to tell your people to keep watching out though.’
He kept the story of Fee’s missing sandwich to himself because his father would laugh that one out of the hills. They chatted about this and that and caught up on all the family news. Rayna was getting impatient for the arrival of her first baby and both his brothers were expecting new additions in the spring.
‘I guess there’ll be no shortage of Chambers around Pine Ridge for a few more generations,’ Tom joked.
‘No thanks to you,’ Hank teased. ‘You ever goin’ to pull your head out your ass, boy? Your mama frets over you somethin’ awful.’
‘Broadcast my private business in front of everyone, why don’t you?’
Hank rolled his eyes. ‘Everyone in here knows us. Most of them are wondering why I don’t give you a swift kick up the—’
‘That’s enough,’ Tom snarled.
‘But we—’
‘I know you love me.’ He glowered. ‘I get it. Now leave me alone goddammit,’ he shouted and stormed off towards the door. He flung it open and pushed past a woman trying to enter, briefly registering Fee’s shocked face, but not stopping. They could all go to hell.
Chapter Nine
‘Are you alright, ma’am?’
A uniformed policeman grabbed hold of Fee’s elbow to steady her. He didn’t need to introduce himself because this was Tom Chambers in another twenty years or so.
‘I’m fine, thank you.’
‘I apologise on behalf of my son. Don’t know what gets into the boy sometimes.’
‘Please don’t worry. I’m sure he had his reasons.’ She’d been curious to find out more about Tom and now was being offered the opportunity on a plate. Fee stuck out her hand and turned on the warm, open smile she’d used so many times to persuade an unwilling subject to be photographed. ‘I’m Fee Winter and I’m staying at Black Cherry Retreat for a few weeks. It’s absolutely beautiful there.’
‘Thought you were a stranger ‘round these parts, ma’am. Sheriff Hank Chambers at your service.’ He stuck out his hand and shook hers so hard Fee was afraid it might drop off. The sheriff retained the strength and vigour of a much younger man, almost convincing her living a healthy, cont
ented life might have its benefits. ‘How about joinin’ me for a spot of lunch?’
Yesterday’s added stress had done a number on her ulcer last night meaning she needed to be extra careful today. ‘Thanks, but I only came in for a cold drink. I’m happy to sit with you though.’
He grinned, and his eyes warmed to the identical shade of good quality hot chocolate as his son’s. ‘Deal.’
Half an hour later, Fee had to concede she’d been grilled by an expert. The man’s charming smile, slow deep drawl and easy manner disguised a sharp mind. Hank Chambers had found out more about her in thirty minutes than Tom had in days. She’d told him all sorts of things from where she grew up, to her present job and a ton of stuff in between. While they spoke Hank managed to shovel down an enormous amount of food, spoke to everyone going in and out of the cafe and still made her feel she’d been completely focused on.
‘It’s the ice cream lady.’ A high-pitched squeal rang out and next thing Fee was smashed back in her seat as Lulu flung herself at her, arms and legs flying in every direction.
‘I see you’ve met the family star,’ Hank joked, his indulgence matching Tom’s where the tiny girl was concerned.
Lulu wriggled around in Fee’s lap and pouted. ‘Uncle T didn’t stay to play, it’s not fair.’
‘I expect he had work to do.’
‘Uncle T said a really bad word and my mom told me he’d gone away to put soap in his mouth. Soap’s nasty. Why’d he want to eat soap?’
Fee caught Hank’s eye and struggled not to laugh. She’d leave explaining Tom’s behaviour to his father.
‘Come here, Lulubelle.’ Hank held out his arms and she instantly switched allegiance, hopping over onto his lap instead. ‘You know you get mad at your mama when she tells you off?’ The child nodded and shoved her thumb in her mouth. ‘And you sometimes sass her, don’t you?’
‘Maybe.’
The slow, dragged out admission made Fee smile.
Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat Page 5