Part 11 (1/2)

I was out of line back there, he said, his tone robotic. Im the last person who should question how someone else chooses to live her life. When he handed her the backpack, the look in his eyes said he had too many of his own ghosts to deal with. He didnt want to be saddled with hers. I have to run to Brevard to pick up an office supply order. You riding along?

No, she replied quickly. Hannahs doing a fire-safety talk at the seniors center. I think Ill take that in.

Suit yourself. But get some rest this afternoon before we meet back here at nine tonight.

She bunched her brows in question.

Surveillance? he added. You still interested?

Y-yes. She dug deep for her lapsed detachment. I need to see all aspects of the department.

As Mack walked away from her toward his patrol car, Chloe wondered if he wasnt a distorted mirror image of herself. The thought made her feel twelve again and defenseless.

P AY ATTENTION ! R ORY shouted as he swung the Nintendo Wii remote like a tennis racket.

You pay attention, Mack returned. To those pants of yours. He gave his thirteen-year-old G.o.dsons fas.h.i.+onably low-slung pants a tug while returning the serve. His ball lobbed into the stands, hitting a spectator.

Hey! No messin with my uni! Rory protested, clutching his sagging pants and laughing. With the living-room rugs rolled up, the two were jockeying for position in front of the McQuires television. If you cant play fair, Ill have to get Red to take your place.

No, thanks, the farm manager called from the Whistling Meadows kitchen where he was playing cards with Geneva. I get enough exercise with my ch.o.r.es. I dont need to be standing in front of a TV screen, swinging at an imaginary ball. Used to be, you swatted at things that werent there, they put you in the funny farm.

Rory served again before Mack could get his remote in the air. Game! Set! Match! the boy crowed.

This was Friday game night, something Mack knew Rory looked forward to every week, but Mack couldnt concentrate. The upcoming surveillance preyed heavily on his mind. Rory was beating him without even trying.

The teenager put down his handheld device to brush his floppy brown hair out of his eyes. Maybe youre low on fuel, he said. Lets go get some nachos.

Mack followed his G.o.dson into the kitchen where the boy put a bowl of cubed cheese and salsa into the microwave. Mack snagged a couple of tortilla chips while they waited for the concoction to melt.

Two more days till Dad and Samantha get home, Rory said, hopping from foot to foot. I cant wait. I want to know if they visited Nottingham and Sherwood Forest. He spread his long, skinny body horizontally along the counter, making Mack suspect the kid didnt have a bone in his body.

Geneva cleared her throat. That counter is not a sofa, she warned.

Rory shot her a heart-melting grin and the hand sign for I love you. The microwave dinged, and he bolted upright.

Mack was always amazed at how well-adjusted Rory was, despite the complications of his blended and extended family. The kid spent the school year with Garrett, his father, and vacations with Noelle, his mother, a banker now working in London, England. When Garrett and Samantha had decided to marry, theyd had Rorys wholehearted support. In turn, theyd chosen spring break in London for their wedding so that Rory could be best man and still spend time with his mother. Rory flew home when the sheriff and his bride set out for their honeymoon. A seasoned traveler at thirteen, the kid was as down-to-earth as they came.

Back in the day when hed wanted kids, Mack had hoped for one like Rory.

I said were picking em up at the airport Sunday at one. Red had raised his voice to get Macks attention.

You going to be able to make the reception at the fire hall? Geneva asked.

Ill be there, Mack replied, although these days large crowds made him jumpy.

Gin! Geneva slapped her cards on the table, much to Reds disgust. I hear that reporter whos been tailing you will be there. Were gonna have coverage.

I hope it doesnt spook Samantha, Red groused, referring to the ugly week the paparazzi had spent camped out in Applegate trying to make a story out of the sheriff and the hotel heiress.

Sh.e.l.l be cool, Rory said as he pulled the melted-cheese concoction out of the microwave and placed it on the table. You shouldve seen her in London. We got to see the d.u.c.h.ess at work, he said, using Reds favorite nickname for Samantha. Nothing got her fl.u.s.tered.

Ah, love. Geneva sighed as she shuffled the deck of cards.

More like a solid connection to law enforcement, Red remarked dryly. Those media types learned not to mess with the sheriff.

Youd pick up on that angle, you old fool, Geneva retorted, dealing. You havent an ounce of romance in you. Her words were tart, but the smile she bestowed on Red was sweet.

As Rory poured sodas for everyone, he winked at Mack. When the housekeeper had moved with Garrett and Rory to Samanthas farm, the farm manager had found a new kick in his step.

Looks like youre the next one to walk down the aisle, Geneva said to Mack. The woman knew no boundaries. Unlike Red who, with the help of Samantha, had taken Mack in when hed reached the lowest, most alcohol-drenched point in his life. Red knew not to push too far, and now he nudged Geneva under the table.

She ignored him. I mean, arent you the last unattached deputy in the department?

That I am, Mack replied, putting a plate of cutup veggies and the bowl of tortilla chips on the table next to the dip. With no plans to change my status, he declared, plunking himself down in an empty chair and taking up Rorys unspoken challenge to see who could put away the most food the fastest.

What about the reporter? Geneva persisted. I caught a glimpse of her. Shes cute enough.

You ever hear of conflict of interest? Mack asked around a mouthful of cheesy chip. Tonight Rory was beating him at food intake, too. Any romantic involvement would look like I was trying to sway the outcome of her story.

Youre mighty sure of your persuasiveness. Geneva harrumphed. Besides, if you were interested in the girl, well, this a.s.signment isnt going to last forever. With a sly smile, Geneva surveyed the hand shed dealt herself.

It made Mack uncomfortable to admit that thought had crossed his mind. On more than one occasion. But earlier today, when hed crossed the line, her look of betrayal was an additional pain he didnt need.

He glanced at the clock. An hour and forty-five minutes to go before he had to meet her at headquarters.

Im going to check on the llamas, Rory said, pus.h.i.+ng himself back from the table. You want to come with me?

Sure. Anything to get away from discussing his marital status and romantic involvement. Or lack thereof.

Cleanup on aisle five, Geneva snapped, fanning her cards toward the littered table.

Rory shrugged. I thought maybe you and Red might want the rest.

Theres not enough left for a dieting mouse, Red grumbled as Rory and Mack quickly cleared and wiped down their end of the table.

As the two stepped outside into the cool night, Mack could hear Geneva say, Honey, I made us pimento-cheese sandwiches and some banana pudding The spring peepers were giving full voice to their shrill mating song. The scent of woodsmoke drifted through the valley. There wasnt a cloud in the starry sky. The temperature had already dropped dramatically, forecasting a cold and uncomfortable surveillance.

Rory walked across the barnyard to lean on the inner pasture fence. Within seconds a llama appeared out of the darkness. Hey, Percy. Want some carrot? He dug into his pocket. Samantha will be home in two days, and you wont be able to have breakfast with Red in the bunkhouse.

Mack chuckled. The curmudgeonly old farmer had fallen for these strange creatures Garretts wife had introduced.

Samantha says we might be getting another llama, Rory said, his voice filled with excitement. For me. The original six would still be used for trekking, but I could train the new one and enter him in regional compet.i.tions.

Rory wanted more than anything to be a country vet. As he talked on about the prospect of caring for his very own llama, Mack thought of how lucky this kid was. With twonow threeloving parents, a safe community, the certainty that hed go to school, the opportunity to travel.

Unlike the kids Mack had met in Iraq.

I need to shove off, he said abruptly. I want to shower before my s.h.i.+ft.

Okay. Rory gave Percy the last of the carrot slices. Im gonna make sure the rest of the herd has plenty of hay. Its supposed to get cold tonight. Im glad the shearer hasnt come yet.