“How are you, Ms. Dahl?” he asked as she ran his steak, a small bag of red potatoes, and a plastic container of salad greens over the scanner.
“Doing okay. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
She relayed what he owed for the three items. Today, he wore a black tee with a graphic touting the Red Hot Chili Peppers across the front, and some nice-fitting jeans. Still no ring on his finger, though. He used his debit card for payment and she handed him his paper receipt.
“See you Tuesday,” he said, then departed with a quick smile that melted her from the knees down. When she turned her attention to the next customer in line, she noticed Alma standing in the crowded store like Waldo hidden in a picture, watching her with that familiar ugliness in her eyes, and it spooked her a little. Gemma knew without a doubt that Alma had seen the harmless interaction between herself and LeForge and would probably try and make something out of it. Knowing the colonel was watching too helped her shake off the unease, so she greeted her next customer and focused on the job at hand.
At the end of her shift, Gemma drove home. She was looking forward to seeing the kids. Later, her classmates would be coming over to work on their company project. She wondered if Brad would show. If his mother had truly offered the ultimatum he said she had, the woman was probably at her wits’ end. Gemma wondered what he enjoyed doing besides listening to whatever he had coming through his earbuds. She couldn’t imagine Wyatt or the Herman kids being so disinterested in life that she had to threaten to put them out of her house to force them to make something of their lives. She remembered the joy on the faces of Lucas and Jaz the day she’d taken them to the library and how Lucas had practically hugged the books in the backseat of the car. Then came the sobering thought of how their lives might have turned out had they stayed in Cincinnati. Would there have been books? Would Jaz’s love for chess have been fed? Neither Lucas nor Jaz had talked much about their experience with the great-aunt, and Gemma hadn’t forced them to, but the bruise on Lucas’s face said enough for her to know the stay hadn’t been pleasant. According to Bernadine, Ms. Krebs had been fired for lying about having done the background check, and although Gemma didn’t want anyone to be without a job, Krebs’s single-minded agenda had placed the children in real danger. While Gemma finished up her last few online foster care classes, the kids would be officially under Bernadine’s supervision, but Ms. Frazier said she had no problem with them residing with Gemma until her licensing came through. They’d been moved around enough.
She pulled into the driveway of her home and there was Jaz sitting on the porch sofa reading. Gemma loved Wyatt very much but as Jaz waved and gave her a smile, Gemma had to admit there was something about raising a child again that filled her heart. She’d never get over losing Gabby, but having Jaz in her life seemed to help balance the pain. Turning off the ignition, she got out and walked up the steps. “Hey there, Miss Jaz.”
“Hey there,” she replied happily. Closing the book, she came over and hugged her around the waist. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too. Were the boys good?”
“Yeah. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Can I call you Gram, like Wyatt does?”
Gemma looked down into her little face and knew she’d never be able to deny this child anything. “Yes, I think that’s an awesome idea.”
“You do?”
Gemma nodded and, after receiving another strong hug, she and Jaz went inside.
Two houses away, Jack was listening to Rocky’s tale of How Cousin Helen Met Bernadine and laughing when his phone signaled an incoming text from Trent. After reading it, Jack’s confusion showed on his face.
“What’s the matter?” Rocky asked.
“Trent wants to know if I’m busy this evening because Dads Inc. is having my bachelor party and I might want to come.”
“Guess you should go then.”
“I’ve never had a bachelor party before.”
“I never had a bridal shower before the Ladies Auxiliary threw mine, so that makes us even. Did he say where this is all happening?”
“Yes. His basement.”
“Forget about strippers then. Not in Lily’s house.”
He laughed. “Then I think I’ll stay home.”
“Yeah right.” She picked up her helmet. “I need to get back to the Dog for the dinner shift. Go and have a good time. I’ll send you a text after we close.”
“Okay.” Once alone, he texted back his RSVP and a few hours later, made the short walk over to Trent’s place.
“So, whose idea was this?” Jack asked as Trent pulled some six-packs from the fridge and loaded them into Jack’s arms.
“Mine. It’s basically just an excuse for us to get together and drink some cold ones. That okay with you?”
“Perfectly.”
“Then follow me. Everyone else is already here.”
And downstairs, Trent proved to be right. All the members of Dads Inc. were there and greeted him with waves and smiles while helping themselves to sandwiches, meatballs, chips, brownies, cake, soft drinks for the underage Bobby Douglas, and beer for the rest. Jack had grown to adulthood without many friends, so these men were special. They’d taken him in as one of them, no questions asked, and he’d become comfortable being with them and discussing whatever was on his mind. The others seemed to feel that way, too. As a group, they’d helped Barrett get over himself and learn to give his wife Sheila the love and respect she deserved; raked Reg over the coals for being such a butthead about his wife Roni’s resurgent career; and listened to Luis’s heartbreaking story of losing his wife in the fire that burned down the Acosta home. Jack didn’t know of any other male support groups, but he was glad to be a part of this one.
“So, Jack,” Barrett asked, grabbing two ping-pong paddles and tossing one to Bobby, “you sure you’re ready to take the plunge back into matrimony?”
“Sure am.”
Luis, across the room watching the baseball game on the big flat-screen, called out, “Bob, let the old Marine live this time, okay?”
Until the arrival of Bobby Douglas, Barrett had ruled Trent’s ping-pong table like an Eastern European dictator. Grinning, Bobby took up his position on the other side of the table and replied, “Not a chance. Being humbled is good for the soul. You ready for this whipping, sir?”
“Shut up and play.”
Bobby’s first volley streaked past Barrett with such speed the former drill sergeant was caught flat-footed.
“That your version of the Mannequin Challenge?” Jack asked.
Trent snorted beer through his nose.
Barrett flashed his best glare but Jack smiled. Yes, he loved Dads Inc. “Think I’ll get myself a beer.”
For the next little while, they watched Bobby beat Barrett like he stole something, ate more food, and drank more beer. They finally gravitated to the sofa and loveseat near the flat-screen and took seats.
Reg said to Trent, “I hear your Uncle Thad and his Oklahoma clan’s here.”
“Yes. They got in yesterday and are bunking out at Tamar’s. So far, she hasn’t had to shoot anybody and Will hasn’t arrested any of them, but the visit’s still young.”
“Any word from Mal?” Luis asked.
He shook his head. Because Henry Adams was such a small town, rumors about the locked-up computer, why Mal might have disappeared, and whether he was in Vegas or not were flying right and left. From the tense set of Trent’s jaw it was obviously not a subject he wanted to discuss, so no one pressed him for more.
Gary dipped a chip into the salsa on his plate and directed a question Jack’s way. “How many people are invited to the wedding?”
“Too many, as far as Rock and I are concerned, but my mother seems to think half the planet should be in the church.” He hadn’t told Rocky that she’d called him earlier wanting to add another five people to the guest list. His answer: No.
“Honeymoon?”
Barrett asked.
“Yes. New York City. I haven’t been there in years, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Bobby asked, “Are you getting yourself a bike?”
Jack laughed. “No. We’ll remain a one-bike family.” Although he had toyed with the idea until he talked himself out of it. Rocky was the adventurous one and he was okay with that.
Luis said, “I think you should get one. The family that rides together stays together.”
“Hear! Hear!” they cried out in unison, raising their cans and glasses.
Jack chuckled.
Trent stood. “Since Lily refused to let me get you a stripper, and you don’t want a bike, we thought you might like this.” He turned to Bobby. “Mr. Douglas, if you would please.”
Bobby stood and opened the door to what Jack knew to be a large storage room. He entered and returned pushing a large hand dolly with a huge box strapped to it. Jack stared.
Bobby let the handcart rest on its two wheels but held on to the handles so the weight of the box didn’t tip it over.
Gary asked, “You going to go over and see what it is, Teach?”
Taking in their secretive smiles, he got to his feet. The lettering and the large picture on the front brought him up short. Heart pounding, he moved closer. “Oh wow!” He looked back at his friends. “If you’re punking me with an empty box I will murder every last one of you.”
“Not an empty box,” Trent assured him.
It was a telescope but not just any scope. It was a top-of-the-line one every amateur and some professional astronomers dreamed of having. “You guys actually bought this? Do you know how much one of these babies costs?”
“With tax and shipping, about ten grand,” Barrett replied. “Sucker weighs almost eighty pounds, too.”
Jack was stunned by the thoughtfulness of the gift. They knew how much he loved stargazing. The telescope, a Meade LX850-ACF, was enough to make a man swoon, but knowing they’d never let him live it down if he did, he pulled himself together. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you usually works,” Reg pointed out, using his fork to spear a meatball on his plate.
Jack dropped his head. Unsure what he’d ever done to deserve such an awesome group of buddies, he eyed the men with wonder and affection, and in a voice thickened with emotion whispered, “Thank you. This is so much better than a stripper.”
A chuckling Luis raised his beer can in toast. “Spoken like a true nerd.”
“Hear! Hear!”
Later, with Bobby manning the dolly, and all the dads following, the Meade was wheeled out the basement door, around to the driveway, and across the street to Jack’s house. It took four of them to lift the dolly safely up the steps to the porch so it could be rolled inside. Jack decided to build it in the living room so the pieces could be spread out and he could work at his leisure, but wasn’t sure when that would be due to all the boxes and totes holding Rocky’s belongings stacked up everywhere. “Once it’s built we’ll have a Dads Inc. viewing party,” he promised. “I can’t thank you all enough. Best gift I’ve ever received in my life.”
“Guess the bachelor party is over,” Gary said with a mock pout.
Jack laughed. “Yes, it is. If anyone needs me, I’ll be right here.”
After sharing manly hugs and offering their congrats on his upcoming marriage, the men filed out. Alone, Jack noted that even if the living room had been clear, he’d had a bit too much beer to try and tackle the build then, but that didn’t stop him from grinning at the box and feeling like the luckiest man alive. First Rocky agreed to marry him, and now he had one of the most kick-ass telescopes on the planet. He loved Henry Adams!
Wanting to show Rocky his gift, he took a picture of the box with his phone and was about to hit send when he heard a knock on the screen door. Sending the picture while walking to see who was there, he was surprised by the sight of Helen.
“Hi, Jack,” she said through the screen. “Can a girl come in?”
He thought back on the story Rocky had related about Helen being flayed by Bernadine and wondered what she wanted. “Sure.” He pushed the door open and she entered.
“Are you moving?” she asked, taking in all the boxes.
“No. Rock’s moving in.”
Her lips tightened. “I see.”
“Have a seat.”
She did and she didn’t look happy.
“What can I do for you, Helen?”
“I’m flying out in the morning.”
He found that good news, but kept his tone even. “I hope your work with Franklin went well.”
“Things were fine until Bernadine Brown trashed my company’s name. The town board canceled my contract just now.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Their loss, is all I can say.”
“I’m sure there will be other opportunities.”
“There will be, but maybe not for you.”
“Excuse me?”
“After Eva passed away, I waited for you to contact me but you never did. Why?”
He wondered if this was a trick question. “Why would I have contacted you?”
“To take Eva’s place in your life. Surely you knew how I felt about you?”
He was suddenly stone-cold sober. Reverend Paula’s advice of kindness over rightness came to mind so he tried to be diplomatic. “I did, but I wasn’t looking for you to take her place.”
“Why not? Eva and I look alike. We were raised the same. Of course, my IQ was much higher.”
That sealed it for him. She wasn’t owed kindness. “You should drive back to your hotel, Helen. It’s been nice seeing you.”
“But I don’t get it. You knew how I felt, yet you’re marrying a woman who calls herself Rocky?”
Jack stood. “Time to go, Helen.”
“Fine,” she said getting to her feet. “But explain to me why her?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation, but I love her. I’ve never loved you and I never will. Maybe because my IQ isn’t high enough.”
Anger flashed in her eyes but he ignored it and walked to the front door. He held it open.
“You’re making a big mistake,” she said. “If you come to your senses, call me.”
“Goodbye.”
Chin high, she breezed past. He didn’t watch her drive away.
Chapter 14
On Monday morning, Bernadine was on the phone with a Los Angeles data recovery firm recommended by Barbie Weaver after her unsuccessful attempts to bypass Mal’s new password. After talking with one of the reps and getting all the info she needed, she ended the call and walked down to Lily’s office.
“Can they help us?” Lily asked as Bernadine took a seat.
“They say they can. We’ll need to ship them the computer, though.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Did they give you a timeline on how long the recovery might take?”
“No. We send it and pray they’re as good as the rep I spoke with claims they are.”
“Crossing my fingers.”
Bernadine had hers crossed as well. Rather than descend into the funk of further worry, she asked, “So, is Tamar ready for August First?” It was a week away.
“I spoke with her last night. She says she is. Gary has the meat, chips, and the rest of the food and paper products on order. Clay and Bing are adding their grills to the ones Uncle Thad’s crew brought along. Trent said he and the dads will dig the horseshoe pits later this week. Not sure what other kind of activities we’re having, though. I should know in a day or two. I figure the kids will want to be at the pool most of the time, regardless of what’s planned.”
Bernadine agreed. Most of the kids were back. Roni and Zoey were presently in Paris and would be heading home after concerts there. Griffin was on his way to Pine Ridge to pick up Amari. They were scheduled to return later in the day.
Lily searched her face. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay if I don’t think about i
t.” It was difficult not to, though. “Hoping once we get some answers from the Dog’s desktop I’ll be better.”
“I think we’ll all be.”
“On a happier note, the Millers signed the contract for their coffee shop.”
“That’s great.”
Bernadine gave her the details, adding, “They’ll be taking one of the apartments upstairs, too.” She also let her in on Tina Craig’s interesting phone call.
Lily voiced her surprise. “Tina wants to move here?”
“She says she does, and I’ve never known her to propose something she isn’t serious about.”
“A bed and breakfast might do well here.”
“I think so, too.”
“A lot happened while Trent and I were away.”
“Yes, indeed. Mal. The Herman kids. Luis shutting down the Dog. Me sending Jack’s cousin Helen packing—which Rocky greatly appreciated. And Will’s wife, Vicky, has gone into hospice.” Bernadine took in Lily’s stricken face and nodded sadly. “I talked to him last night. He said she’s tired of fighting.” Vicky Dalton had been battling ovarian cancer for the past few years.
“That’s so terrible. Poor Vicky. Does Will need anything? Food? We can bring over some dishes he can freeze and microwave.”
“I asked, he said no. Just our prayers. He told me he and Vicky have been together since elementary school.”
“And now he’s going to lose her.”
“Yes.” The Daltons weren’t churchgoers but Reverend Paula was offering the family what support she could.
“I’m so sorry to hear this. I thought she had it licked after the last round of chemo. Her hair was growing back and everything.”
“I know.” Everyone had been glad to see her out and about this past spring, but now it appeared as if she’d be gone before autumn.
“I hope Will knows we’re here for him and his kids.”
“He does.” Bernadine stood. “I’m supposed to be meeting with PI Sandy Langster in a few minutes. Hoping she’ll be able to find out where Mal is. If the tech firm can’t unlock that computer, we’ll need him back here whether he wants to be or not.”
Her meeting with Sandy didn’t take long. The lady detective took the case and let Bernadine know she wanted to lease the office space at the refurbed hotel. Bernadine handed her a lease, and a check to retain her services in the Mal matter.