“It’ll be all right, Carly.” He held her gaze a moment. “I need to talk to Thelma about Lucy.”
“Mack, she can stay with us while you’re gone. I know Ella would love to have her.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you and Thelma work that out. I’m going to get my gear, then I’ll say goodbye to Lucy.”
Carly watched him walk out, felt a strange knot forming in her center. She knew Mack was a deputy, but it hadn’t really registered until this moment. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of danger he would be in.
Fear clamped onto her heart like a cold vise.
Nothing could happen to Mack.
She couldn’t handle it.
* * *
Mack climbed out of his SUV, adjusting his utility belt as he walked up to the front door of the lodge. It felt good to be back at work. He loved law enforcement, but he loved working at the lodge, too. Each gave him a different kind of satisfaction. He had to admit, though, now that Lucy was part of his life, working as a deputy put him too much in harm’s way. He was all his niece had. Could he risk his life to provide for her?
He stepped inside the lodge and Lucy bounded toward him. “Uncle Mack, I heard your car. Why are you going away?”
“I have to catch some bad guys.”
“Oh. Like you did back home?”
“Yes. You’re going to stay here with Thelma.”
“And Ella and her mom. We’re going to take turns sleeping. One night at Ella’s house, and one night at Miss Thelma’s.”
“That sounds like fun.”
She hugged his neck. “Will you be gone long?”
“I don’t know, sweet pea. I hope not. I’ll miss you.”
Mack saw Carly enter the lobby and come toward him. “She’ll be fine, Mack. I promise. We’ll take good care of her.”
“I’m not worried. Besides, I have someone special to come home to.” He looked into Carly’s eyes and saw questions forming. He grinned, then placed a kiss on Lucy’s cheek before setting her down. “My number one girl.” She waved and hurried off to find Ella.
Carly stood silent and stiff in front of him. “Something wrong?” he asked.
“I just never saw you in uniform before.” She swallowed. “You look good.” She reached out and lightly touched his shirt. “The blue matches the color of your eyes.” She jerked back her hand and cleared her throat. “You look very authoritative.”
He grinned. “Thanks, I think. I’ve been told women like a man in uniform.”
“I think it’s the sense of protection and security it implies.”
He had the strangest feeling they were talking about something entirely different, but that wasn’t possible. Was it? The look in her eyes said she was attracted. If wearing his uniform could solicit that kind of response from Carly, then he’d wear it every day.
He cleared his throat. “That’s our creed. To protect and serve. Though actually that refers to protecting and serving the law, not the individual.” He saw her gaze shift. He should have quit while he was ahead.
“I’d better hit the road. I’ll have my phone with me if something comes up. If Lucy needs me, don’t hesitate to call.” He held her gaze again, this time seeing concern with a hint of affection—at least, that was what he hoped it was.
He turned to go but she hurried after him, taking his arm to pull him around.
“Mack, please be careful. I— We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” She stood on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek, enveloping him in the heady scent of spring flowers, sending his heart thumping.
“So, you’re worried about me?”
“No. Yes, I mean. We’re friends and you’re going into a dangerous situation.”
He grinned and touched her chin lightly with his fingertips. “Yes, we are.”
He turned and walked out, climbing into his vehicle and replaying Carly’s actions again in his mind. His heart was light knowing that she cared about him—even if it was only because he was a cop. But it gave him hope that maybe, in time, she could look at him differently, as someone more than the obstacle between her and the money she needed. The man trying to force her to relive her youth.
An hour later Mack met up with Sheriff Walker Jones and the other officers at the Lenard County headquarters in Hastings and got his assignment. He and two other deputies would set up a command post near the rural town of Trent in the southeast quadrant of the county, where the convicts were suspected of going.
He sent up a prayer for a quick recovery of the escapees and safety for the men involved in the search. He’d been in this situation before and it hadn’t ended well. For the first time in years he seriously questioned his line of work. He used to only have himself to think about; now he had Lucy, and maybe Carly and Ella.
He shelved those thoughts and focused on the job ahead. It wasn’t a good idea to go off on a manhunt with personal concerns clouding his mind.
However, it might take more effort than normal, given that soft look in Carly’s gaze.
Chapter Eight
Carly took a sip of her sweet tea while watching the girls on the playground equipment at the edge of the Fishing Hole Restaurant at the Marina Village. The area was designed to look like a Gulf Coast beach complete with white-sugar sand. She’d decided to treat the girls to pizza to get them out of the lodge. Lucy had gotten upset because, with Mack away on duty, her mom couldn’t call. Carly hoped pizza and a little shopping would take her mind off her disappointment. The girls had picked out matching purple sundresses and flip-flops with big lavender flowers on the toes. They wanted to match like twins.
Too bad she couldn’t distract her own thoughts as easily. Mack had been gone nearly a week. She knew he couldn’t call and chat, but she’d hoped he’d text her to let her know he was all right. Her imagination had been working overtime conjuring up dangerous scenarios he might be caught up in.
Seeing him in his uniform with the gun on his hip had hit hard. The realization of his job, of what he risked day to day, had settled like a stone in her center. The thought of something happening to him had forced her real feelings to the surface. She still cared for Mack Bridges and in more than a friendly way.
“Carly. I thought that was you.” Ashley sat down beside her, nudging her shoulder. “Taking a break from the lodge?”
“Just a little break for the girls.”
“Which one is yours?”
She pointed to the pair who were now sharing a child-sized hammock between two fake palm trees. “The dark-haired one. The blonde is Mack’s niece, Lucy.”
“I heard about his sister. It’s so sad. Mack has had a lot to overcome in his life.”
“Haven’t we all?”
Ashley squeezed her hand. “Yes, we have.”
Carly was immediately contrite. Her friend knew only too well the struggles of losing a husband. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little out of sorts today.”
“Hang in there. Only a few more days until the widow’s group. I always feel better after I’ve met with the ladies. They keep me grounded and help scatter all the gloomy pictures I tend to dwell on.”
“I know what you mean.” A cloud of gloom had been hovering over her since Mack had left. Between the worry over his safety and the concern about the repairs getting done, she was having trouble concentrating.
“If I’d known you were going to be here, we could have eaten together and let the girls meet my crew.”
“That sounds good. Let’s do that soon. I know Lucy and Ella would love to make new friends.”
Ashley studied her closely. “Anything else on your mind? I can tell you’re worried. You get that little crease in your forehead.”
She’d forgotten how close she and Ashley had once been. “I’m worried about Mack.”
“Why? He looked like his usual handsome self when I saw him las
t week.” She grinned.
“He’s been called up to help the sheriff’s department search for those prisoners who escaped.”
“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize he was a cop.”
“He was going to be a lawyer, but he liked the hands-on appeal of helping people.”
“Sounds like Mack. I’ve been watching the evening news reports, and it doesn’t sound like they’ve found them yet.”
Carly kept her gaze on her glass. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I can’t help but care.”
Ashley patted her knee and stood. “Now all you have to do is figure out how much you care.”
She shook her head. “Not that much. Don’t go spinning romantic fantasies, Ash.”
Standing, Carly called to the girls. “Call me and we’ll set up a lunch date. I’m anxious to meet your children.”
“Will do. In the meantime I’ll keep Mack in my prayers. And you, too.”
Carly waved as her friend moved off, then walked the girls to the car and headed back to the lodge. Ashley’s comment replayed in her mind like a video loop. How much did she care for Mack? She had to admit that being around him had sent her senses racing and her thoughts headed down romantic paths she hadn’t traveled for a long time. After Troy’s death she never expected to have feelings for another man. Their marriage, though short, had been filled with happiness and contentment. Even when Ella had been diagnosed with her heart condition, they had taken comfort and strength from each other. Troy had been her rock.
But she couldn’t deny that her feelings for Mack were growing stronger every day. She just had no idea what she was going to do about it.
* * *
Mack moved off to the side of the building in the middle of the staging area in Trent and pulled out his phone. This was the first chance he’d had to check in with Carly and Lucy since he’d left the lodge. Thankfully, he’d been so busy during the day and exhausted at night that he fell into bed with little time to think about his family. But there were moments when the ache of missing them would seize hold, and it took all his power of concentration to keep his mind on his job. He’d prayed the convicts would be captured soon, but so far they were leading the posse on a merry chase. They knew the area and were able to evade capture. Mack was beginning to fear they might not ever be caught.
Carly’s phone rang several times before she answered, and the sound of her voice brought an instant smile to his face and forced him to realize how much he missed her. Especially satisfying was the note of joy in her tone. “How are things going back there?”
“Mack, it’s so good to hear from you. Are you all right? Will you be home soon? Lucy asks about you every day. Ella, too.”
He chuckled. “Whoa. One question at a time. I’m fine. Don’t know how much longer, and I miss Lucy, too. I miss all of you.” Carly’s silence made him wonder if she missed him. He hoped so. “How are things going on your end? Sorry I had to bail on you.”
“We’re doing all right. I took the girls down the trails and they helped me clear the debris. They seemed to enjoy helping.”
“That’s good to hear. Did the subcontractors show up?”
“Yes, but they seem to be taking their sweet time with the work. Dwayne assures me they are on schedule, but I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry, Carly. Dwayne will keep their feet to the fire.” Mack heard the sheriff call out. “I need to go, but I wanted to let you know I’m being assigned to the northeast corner of the county. They think the prisoners are holed up in an abandoned farm up there. I won’t have good cell coverage, so it might be a few days before I can get in touch.”
“I understand. Be careful.”
“I always am. Is Lucy there? I’d like to say hello to her before I have to hang up.” The sound of his niece’s sweet little voice warmed his heart even as her pleas to come home wrapped it in a sad ache. He prayed the convicts would be captured soon so he could get back to those he loved. And once back at the lodge he would have to do some soul-searching to see where his life would go from here.
He had never anticipated that Wade’s death would set in motion a series of events that might change his life forever.
Slipping his phone into his pocket, he joined the other deputies and closed off his mind to the thoughts of home and family and focused on the job at hand. Distraction could mean death.
Carly gripped her phone tightly, every nerve on alert. Ashley had called, announcing she had important information.
“Remember the other day when you asked me if I knew anyone named Bonnie? I asked around, and apparently there was a woman who lived here and worked part-time at the old marine store.”
“Do you know her last name?”
“No, but they said she now works in the office for the developer. It’s on the far end of the village. It might not be her, but it’s a place to start. She’d remember lots of people from back then.”
“Thanks. I’ll go see her.”
“Carly, don’t jump to conclusions, okay? All you have to go on is a name your mom threw out.”
“She wouldn’t forget something like that.”
“You said yourself she didn’t always remember things correctly.”
“I know. I’ll be diplomatic. I promise.”
Carly thanked her friend, then ended the call and checked her watch. She had plenty of time to go to the marina and track down this woman while Thelma had the girls at her house. After retrieving the earring from her room, she drove to the marina. Her nerves were on edge. Finally she might have some answers about what really happened with her mother and father.
The village management offices were housed in a simple one-story building at the back of the shopping center. The facade blended in with the rest of the exteriors and no one would know it was there if you weren’t looking for it. The inside was quiet and tastefully decorated in shades of gray and cream. A young woman seated at a sleek reception desk glanced up as she entered.
“May I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m looking for a woman named Bonnie. I’m sorry I don’t know her last name, but she’s worked at the marina for a long time. I grew up here and I...I’m back in town and thought I’d look her up.”
“Oh. Well, I don’t know anyone by that name. The only people here are Mr. Garner, the manager, his assistant, Peter, and Miss B. She does the books.”
“What does the B stand for?”
The woman blinked in surprise. “Oh, I’m not sure. Let me go find out.”
She returned quickly with a bright smile. “Guess what? Turns out Miss B is your Bonnie. Follow me and I’ll show you to her office.”
“Miss B. This lady is here to see you.”
The woman stood and Carly was forced to adjust her preconceived image. Bonnie was around her dad’s age, with white hair, a friendly face and plump figure that made one think of a sweet grandma. “I’m Bonnie Hudson. Can I help you?”
Just because she looked like a sweet grandma now didn’t mean she wasn’t attractive years ago. A nervous knot formed in Carly’s stomach. This wasn’t going to be as easy as she’d expected.
Her fingers closed around the earring, squeezing it so tightly the edge dug into her skin. She had to know the truth. “My name is Carly Porter. Wade Porter was my father.”
Her face broke into a wide smile. “Wade’s little girl. Oh, my. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. He was so proud of you. He talked about you all the time.”
The cheery response caught her off guard. “You saw a lot of him?”
“I did. He came into the store all the time. I was so sad to hear of his death.”
She couldn’t make nice any longer. “I have something that belongs to you.”
“Me?”
Carly placed the earring on the desk, watching for Bonnie’s reaction.
“Oh, my goodness. Where did yo
u find this? I lost it years ago.”
Carly set her jaw. “In my father’s truck where you left it.”
Bonnie frowned. “What exactly are you implying?”
“My mother told me about my father’s affairs.”
Bonnie’s expression softened with sympathy. “I see. Sit down. Perhaps we need to have a talk.”
Carly hesitated but finally sat down.
“I never had an affair with your father, or anyone. I’m happily married and have been for forty years.”
Bonnie held up the earring. “I was only in your father’s vehicle one time. There was a chamber of commerce meeting that night. My husband had just had knee surgery and he couldn’t drive me. Wade offered to give me a lift, which I accepted because those things usually ran late. We drove to the meeting and he drove me home.” She fingered the jewelry. “I have a habit of taking these off because they pinch after a while. That’s probably when I dropped it.”
Carly wanted to believe her, but she couldn’t get her mother’s accusations out of her mind. Bonnie continued before she could speak.
“Your father was a wonderful man and he loved your mother very much, even during their hard times. I think maybe you should talk with your mother and ask her to clear things up for you. It was a long time ago and, sometimes, things get distorted over the years.”
Carly felt like the wind had been taken out of her sails. Why would her mother name this woman as someone her father cheated with if he hadn’t? Of course Bonnie could be lying, but something deep inside told her she wasn’t. She stood. “Thank you for seeing me. I’m so sorry if I’ve upset you. It’s just that my mother was so certain you were... I mean... Please accept my apologies.”
“Don’t give it another thought, Carly. I’m sorry you’ve been troubled by this for so long.”
Carly gave an apologetic smile, then reached for the door. “Oh, one more thing. Do you know anyone named Richard who would have been living here about the time my parents split up?”
Bonnie blanched and laid a hand at her throat. “Oh, dear. Where did you hear about him?”
Their Family Blessing Page 11