Courting Disaster

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  Frank shook his hand, too.

  “I’m Will Angles.”

  Frank shook the African-American man’s hand and noticed the strong, firm grasp despite the man’s smaller, slender build.

  “Nice to formally meet you all.”

  “Hey, Cadi,” Meg said, “let’s go to the zoo after you’re finished here. It’ll be fun.”

  “It’s a small zoo. You might be disappointed,” Frank said. “They’ve got a couple of bears and a farm animal section, and kids can take pony rides, but, like I said, it’s small.”

  “Sounds fun.” Bailey smiled in Dustin’s direction. He tucked his chin, obviously overcome by bashfulness.

  “Forget the zoo,” Cadi replied. “I’ve got computer work to finish up, and you all promised to return to the explosion site and help several families scrounge up what’s left of their belongings.”

  Frank immediately snapped to attention. He recalled how the last charity organization had looted the devastated properties. He decided to call the office and find out how many deputies would stand guard around the affected neighborhood while people picked through the area.

  “We’re helping folks this afternoon,” Will put in. “I think it might perk us all up if we had some diversion this morning.”

  “Sure,” Meg said. “Even if we spend another night here, it wouldn’t be a big deal. We can attend services at Pastor Dremond’s church tomorrow morning.”

  “Spend another night here?” Cadi shook her head. “I’d rather drive home.”

  “Listen, it’s always good to have options,” Meg said. “But I say we have a little fun before going back to work this afternoon. I also vote for an overnight stay so we can work right up until it gets dark if we want to and we don’t have to worry about being tired and driving back to Waterloo.”

  “Yeah, Cadi, how ’bout it? The hotel is very comfortable,” Bailey chimed in. She turned to Frank. “I never realized Wind Lake is so restful and resortlike.”

  “More the latter, I’d say. The tourist population is climbing each year.”

  “So what do you say, Cadi?” Jeff asked.

  “I guess I don’t care either way.”

  “Yes!” Will punched the air, acting as if he’d just scored the game’s winning touchdown.

  Frank chuckled at the man’s exuberance.

  Meg touched him on the sleeve. “Do you mind telling us how to get to the zoo?”

  “Sure, but I still think you’ll be disappointed.”

  “We have fun everywhere we go,” Jeff interjected. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his denim cargo pants and grinned. “We work hard and play hard.”

  “But Cadi mostly works hard,” Meg said.

  “Yeah, she’s all work and no play,” Will added.

  “Oh, hush.” She waved a hand at them while pointing to a place on the insurance form for Mrs. Binder with the other.

  Frank grinned.

  “She sounds like my dad,” Dustin remarked. “All work. . .”

  The growing smile slipped from Frank’s face as he regarded his son.

  “Well, it’s nice that you’re going to the zoo with him today, huh?” Meg looked from Dustin to Frank. “Is your wife going on the outing, too?”

  “No. I’m not married.” Regret and sadness accompanied the answer, although the pain had lessened over the years.

  “My mommy’s in heaven,” Emily told them.

  “How marvelous for her,” Bailey said, hunkering down so that she was eye level with Emmie. “She’s walking the streets of gold with Jesus, but I’ll bet you miss her.”

  Emmie replied with several vigorous nods, but Frank knew she’d been too young to remember. A baby, just over a year old. However, his mother-in-law kept Yolanda’s memory alive for the kids.

  Frank cleared his throat, hoping for a subject change, although he had to admit to feeling impressed by the candid and empathetic way Bailey responded to his daughter.

  “Now about those directions to the zoo,” Jeff prompted.

  “How ’bout if we just follow you there?” Meg tipped her head and regarded him, waiting for an answer.

  “Um, yeah.” Frank shrugged. “Sure.”

  Cadi cleared her throat. “I’m sure we’ll find our way. We don’t want to keep Sergeant Parker and his kids from their fun.”

  Frank couldn’t help feeling curious when he noticed Cadi’s sudden opposition. Was she hiding something? “You’re not keeping me. The kids and I are happy to wait a few minutes.” He pulled a couple of nickels from his pocket and told Dustin and Emmie to get a treat from the gumball machine by the front doors.

  Cadi turned to the elderly woman sitting across from her at the rectangular table. “Mrs. Binder, do you need a ride someplace?”

  “Oh, no.” She waved a hand at Cadi then dabbed the back of her bluish-white cotton-candy hair. “My gentleman friend is coming to get me.” A little pink blush crept up her powdered cheeks. “Don’t tell a soul, but he’s younger than I am.”

  Frank chuckled and glanced down at his athletic shoes.

  Will made a tsk-tsk sound with the side of his mouth. “I’m afraid our Cadi will be pushing ninety-five before she has a gentleman friend.”

  Meg chuckled lightly, Will and Bailey laughed, and Jeff sported a wide grin.

  Frank fought against any reaction, knowing it could be misconstrued. Next he saw Cadi’s disapproving stare, although he didn’t think she possibly could have heard the muttered remark.

  “Well, listen, I’m going to take my kids outside,” Frank said. “I’ve got a tan-colored SUV.”

  “See you in a few minutes.” Jeff gave him a mock salute.

  As Frank ushered his kids out of the bank, he had to admit he wasn’t at all disappointed that the members of the Disaster Busters crew had imposed themselves on their zoo expedition. He thought he might even glean some important information that could come in handy later—like at their criminal trial.

  Five

  Cadi gripped the steering wheel of her minivan until her knuckles turned white. “I know full well what you guys are up to.”

  Whoops of laughter filled the vehicle, but Cadi tried to block it out and concentrate on her driving. This morning they had unhitched the trailer, and with the hotel manager’s permission, they had backed it into a remote corner of the parking lot.

  “I told you last night he wasn’t married,” Meg said, a smile still on her face. “See, I was right—as usual.”

  “He can’t take his eyes off you,” Bailey said from the backseat. “It’s really a hoot.”

  “And what a coincidence that he showed up at the bank this morning,” Will added.

  “He’s suspicious of us,” Cadi pointed out. “He told me so last night.”

  “Well, what’s he s’posed to do?” Will challenged. “A man’s gotta test the water before diving in headfirst.”

  Cadi rolled her eyes at the analogy. “No, goofball, he’s suspicious as in he thinks we’re con artists.”

  “I think you’re interested in him, too,” Meg said. “I can tell. And we’re just helping matters along. This zoo outing is the perfect way for you two to get to know each other.”

  “I don’t want any help with my love life.”

  “What love life would that be?” Will retorted.

  Every nerve in Cadi’s body tensed. “Will, you know perfectly well that Darrell and I—”

  “Should never have dated in the first place. Yeah, I know that.”

  She ignored the glib comment. “Look, I don’t want another man in my life.”

  Cadi stopped at a red light and shifted in her seat. She refused to admit that she’d actually dreamed about the handsome deputy last night. He stood in the misty distance, tall and strong, like a knight in shini
ng armor.

  A car honked, and she jumped. Everyone in the van hooted.

  “Like, who could you possibly be daydreaming about?” Jeff chuckled.

  Cadi accelerated. “Look, you guys, this isn’t funny.”

  Her friends couldn’t have heard her over their laughter.

  She tensed all the more.

  “I remember you once told me that you wanted to find the right guy and get married,” Bailey reminded her.

  “I’ve mentioned that to all my trusted friends, but I was thinking of Darrell when I said it.”

  “Urrnt.” Will made a noise like a game show buzzer. “Wrong choice.”

  “Okay, I know that now,” Cadi admitted, although she also knew she’d have to face Darrell and confirm that their breakup was official. The thought of that confrontation made her cringe.

  “Maybe Frank’s the right choice,” Bailey said. “Find out if he’s a believer. Give him a chance. He’s definitely interested.”

  Cadi wanted to argue, but something inside her wanted it to be true. Nevertheless. . .

  “I don’t have peace about this.”

  “Oh, that’s just because you’re nervous.” Meg readjusted in her seat belt. “Relax. Enjoy the day.”

  “Easy for you to say, Miss Matchmaker.”

  Her friend smiled back in reply. “You’ll thank me for this someday.”

  “Yeah, sure I will.”

  The SUV up ahead slowed then turned left. Cadi followed it reluctantly, and within moments they drove onto the zoo’s surface lot. Cadi pulled her van into the parking space across from the one Frank chose. She opened the door and climbed down from behind the wheel before sliding back the side door by which her friends exited. They traipsed behind Frank and his kids to the front gate where they paid meager entrance fees.

  Once inside the zoo, Bailey and Jeff, still newlyweds, walked hand in hand along the stony walkway. Cadi strolled behind them, thinking they made the perfect couple. Their wedding had been an unforgettable collage of music, vows, and celebration of love.

  Disappointment settled over her like fog along the Mississippi. She’d always wanted a family of her own, in addition to Aunt Lou. But considering her newly self-imposed condition of “terminally single,” Cadi supposed she’d have to abandon the idea of satin and lace and a handsome knight.

  She paused by a rough, split-rail fence and gazed inside its circumference. Harnessed ponies stomped and snorted while zoo employees lifted children into the saddles.

  Children. Cadi figured that dream had imploded, too—just yesterday when she’d told Darrell good-bye.

  Except Darrell had been all wrong for her. Once she’d overheard Darrell’s two friends talking. One equated Darrell to patent leather and Cadi to buckskin. Darrell’s other buddy remarked that Darrell was a polished gem and Cadi a diamond in the rough. Both had a few chuckles and walked away, never knowing Cadi was standing nearby and had heard every word. At first she took it as a sort of weird compliment, but now she realized Darrell’s cronies pointed out what Cadi should have seen all along. There were so many dissimilarities between herself and Darrell.

  A man behind her cleared his throat. Cadi started and swung around. Frank Parker and his kids stood there, staring at her. By the curious expressions on their faces, she knew something was amiss.

  “What?” She looked from the kids to Frank. “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you in line for the pony ride or not?” he asked sarcastically. “If not, Dustin and Emily would like to make the next go-round.”

  Cadi felt her face flame with embarrassment. “Um, yeah. I guess I’ll sit this one out.” She stepped aside, and the kids ran into the corral.

  She turned and leaned her forearms on the wooden fence. Frank did the same.

  “So where did your friends take off to?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your friends.”

  Cadi glanced in all directions. No sight of Will, Meg, Bailey, or Jeff.

  “Looks like they ditched me.” She expelled a breath, heavy with exasperation. “They think they are so sly. This whole zoo thing is a setup, you know? They couldn’t care less about spending the day at the zoo.”

  “I kind of figured.” His gaze never strayed from his children.

  Cadi blinked. “You did?”

  Frank flicked a glance at her. “I might not be a rocket scientist, but I know a setup when I see it—particularly when it’s me involved in the setup.”

  Cadi felt her heart sink out of sheer humiliation. “I’m really sorry. My friends didn’t mean to—”

  “Don’t worry.” He gave her a little smile. “I have well-intentioned friends, too.” He took a sidestep and faced her. “I put things together on the way here from the bank. You broke up with your boyfriend. They found out I’m single. You’re single. Need I say more?”

  Cadi felt mortified but managed to shake her head in reply.

  “Hey, don’t take it so hard. Since my wife died, I have had more ‘setups’ than I’d care to count.”

  She could barely breathe. Her friends’ practical joke now felt like a punch in the diaphragm.

  “Were you two serious?”

  “You two—who?” Seconds later, she grasped his meaning. “Oh, me and Darrell.” She waved her hand. “No, we weren’t serious, although I will confess to having serious delusions of grandeur.” Cadi laughed at herself and her silly dreams. “Darrell disapproves of my career choice, and he can’t get past it.”

  “Hmmm. . .so you’re a devoted career woman?” Frank’s gaze was still plastered to his kids as the horses clomped around in a circle.

  “Well, I guess so. I mean, if I want my business to succeed, I have to put time and effort into it. It’s just like with anything.”

  “So, what I’m hearing is that Darrell wasn’t worth the time and effort.”

  “I guess you could say that.” Cadi disliked the heartless way it sounded, but for all her hopes and dreams, Frank’s summation was right on the mark.

  He chuckled so hard that Cadi could feel the fence shake.

  “At least you’re honest.” He stopped short and gave her a sideways glance. “Are you honest, Cadi?”

  “I try to be.” She frowned, bristling at his implication. “Are you honest?”

  “Most of the time.”

  Cadi put a hand on one hip. “I’m not sure I understand where this conversation is going. Are you telling me you lie?”

  Frank straightened. “Not long ago my mother-in-law asked me how I liked her new slacks outfit. She had taken Emmie shopping and found the pantsuit—or whatever you call it—on the bargain rack. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I thought it was the ugliest ensemble I ever saw, so I told her she looked real pretty. Guess that’s a lie by any measure.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just saving face with your mother-in-law.” She smiled and looked up into Frank’s eyes. His dark gaze bore into hers, and her heart skipped a beat. She realized such a reaction had never occurred when she was in Darrell’s company.

  She averted her gaze, startled by her emotions, and wondered if she should leave the zoo and let her friends find their own way back to the hotel. It would serve them right if she did.

  “Nice of you to help Mrs. Binder fill out all those insurance forms this morning.”

  Cadi sensed what he was getting at. “I’m not swindling senior citizens if that’s what you’re thinking. The truth is I like helping people.”

  “Is that why you started Disaster Busters?”

  “It’s part of the reason.” She felt mildly annoyed by the interrogation, although she was familiar with answering for her business. In the past, numerous people had inquired about the hows and whys of starting Disaster Busters. She didn’t mind fielding questions when the motives
were right. She knew that if she expected people to trust her and her business, she had to be transparent.

  But she could tell Frank openly distrusted her. She could read it in his dark eyes.

  She fell silent for several long moments and watched the dust plume around the ponies as they clomped in a circle.

  At last Cadi decided to take a chance and wear her heart on her sleeve.

  “When I was a little girl, my parents, brother, and sister drowned in a flood,” she began. “We lived in a small town along the Mississippi River. Actually, the neighborhood in which I grew up isn’t even there anymore. It flooded so many times that the government demolished it. Anyway,” she said, moving her arm back to the top rail of the fence, “after the tragedy of losing my family, I experienced a slew of bureaucratic horrors. I was in foster care for almost two years until my great-aunt was located and agreed to take custody of me. The entire situation wasn’t handled well, from the emergency personnel who saved my life to the court-appointed social workers and presiding judges. When I was old enough to realize just how poorly my case was handled, I vowed to make a difference—to make it easier on victims of natural disasters—so they don’t feel like society is kicking them when they’re already down.”

  Frank stared at her, his expression teetering on disbelief.

  “If my reply sounds rehearsed, it is to a point,” she said, guessing his thoughts. “Sometimes I speak at churches so I can generate financial support for my organization. Disaster Busters is a business—but it’s a ministry, too. Sort of like a pastorate.”

  He still seemed to be digesting the information.

  “Something else about me, too.” She smiled. “I’m a born-again Christian. That means—”

  “I know what it means. I’m familiar with the biblical term born-again. The fact is, I made a decision for Christ when I was a kid.”

  “Oh.” Her reply sounded rather lame to her own ears, but Cadi didn’t like the way things were adding up. Frank Parker was a widower and a Christian who could make her heart skip and send her emotions reeling. Maybe her friends were right. Still, there was a gruffness about him that appealed to her about as much as this rough-sawn fence. The man of her dreams was kind and compassionate. Sensitive and caring. Those four words didn’t seem to describe Frank Parker. What’s more, he didn’t appear to be friend material.