“Would it surprise you to find out that it shocks me, too? And don’t let my siblings know or I would never live it down.”
“Which is it? Just a phase…temporary insanity? Or something else?”
“I’m still working on that one myself,” he responded. There was a faint buzzing sound. His hand moved with reluctance to his waist and a small pager appeared in his hand. He read the words and then it disappeared again. Along with the smile on his face. “It’s time we headed back. There is rain forecasted for later. We wouldn’t want to be caught out in it in case of lightning.”
He stood first and began packing empty containers away. Erin followed suit but there were questions in her mind. It seemed there was a switch that had been clicked and his attitude, the spirit of the day even, it had all changed. She followed his lead while she tried to work out in her mind what had changed. It had something to do with whatever message he’d received. She was almost sure of it.
The ride back to the stables was not the same as the first. There was little talk and she let it be. They thanked Cassie and when she invited them to stay for dinner, he was quick to say thanks, but they had to get back to the cabin. Cassie didn’t repeat the invitation, but she did seem to find something off in his refusal. That made two of them. Erin gave her thanks in a much warmer mode and hoped they would see each other again soon.
On the way back to the cabin, she realized that they had left the leftovers behind, which was their planned dinner. “Are we going to stop in town for something for dinner?” she ventured. “Our picnic leftovers are back with Cassie in the saddlebags.”
He shook his head. “There will be other plans for dinner. You’ll need to collect your personal items when we get back to the cabin as we’ll be heading back to town. It’s over. The chopper was released and it’s on its way here as we speak.”
The words hung in the air between them, like a two-way mirrored barrier. She felt totally confused. It’s over. What was over? Did he mean their time in Destiny’s River? Or whatever was or had been beginning between the two of them? Normally, she would demand to get to the heart of any matter. But that was a matter not of the heart. Her heart. And at the worst possible moment, there it was. No more hiding from it. The man beside her had become too important to her. And it was soon to be over. She was okay with the silence at that point. Somehow, she had to find a way to work it out in her brain and remember who she was and what her life had been before…before his arrival. Things needed to make sense again.
But it seemed that she wasn’t to have that much time. They turned the corner, and the cabin came into view. There was a strange SUV in the drive. A tall man stepped out, and she recognized the badge and the ‘look’…same as she had when she’d seen Rance the day everything began at the courthouse. Rance shook his head and muttered a low curse under his breath. He stepped outside the vehicle as soon as it came to a halt. She followed and stood a few feet away while the men shook hands.
The other man, who was introduced as Rance’s captain, tipped his hat to her and smiled. “Judge Latham, I’m sure you’ll be glad to get back to your own home and the court. There is a full report of this case from A to Z on your desk, which you can go over at your leisure. My office is in the courthouse and if you have any questions, please contact me.”
“Thank you,” she responded, still unsure of things. “Will we be flying back?”
“Well, I thought since I was not far from here on my way back to Austin, I would stop and give you a lift. The chopper had to be refueled and would arrive closer to dark. This way we can get you on your way home. Looks like you can be off the time clock sooner, Marshal Parker. I know you were happy to hear you’d earned some quiet fishing time up here.”
“You aren’t going back to Austin?” she asked with a deeper question in her gaze at Rance.
“I’ll head back in a couple of days.”
“Nonsense, I told you yesterday to take a week and I mean it. We’d best get on the road, Your Honor.” The captain was waiting.
“Of course, I will be with you in just a moment. I won’t be taking much with me from here, after all,” she said, not looking at Rance again. Had her words carried another meaning to him?
She did not look at Rance; instead felt a sudden need to put distance between them. She moved on autopilot, packing her personal items and papers back inside her tote bag. The clothes she had on would have to suffice and she would see that they were returned to Tori. A quick look around the bedroom and that was that. She kept her mind focused and without emotion. She stepped to the door and that was when Rance appeared in front of her.
“I hadn’t expected this today. I had hoped we’d have another day to talk and all.”
She listened to the words and watched him in silence. The wall was building—she could feel it. It was the defense she had learned and used for years with her father and her ex. Now, it was Rance’s turn. “You knew I would be leaving…by myself. It would have been nice to know that. But you did a good job. Your captain is right…you deserve more time in this place. Thank your family for me. Hope you catch a lot of fish. Goodbye, Marshal Parker.” The wall was in place.
She left him standing there, and she did not look back as she left the house and slid into the passenger seat of the SUV waiting for her. Erin was aware that Rance must have followed her and stood on the deck, as he and his captain had their goodbyes. He had earned a nice vacation after this tough assignment. Good for him.
The captain was very respectful on their trip back to civilization as she had labeled it in her mind. Of course, he would be. She was aware of her reputation within the courthouse. She was hard-hearted and tough on those criminals in front of her. She made no friends within the building. And she could say the same outside it. Business associates, legal colleagues, but what real friend could she give that label to? Her housekeeper was someone she felt safe with…as safe as she could. Something that had caused consternation with her father. The people who worked for them were just that and no more. Perhaps she would get a dog?
She filed that thought in her brain. It just might have some merit. And Rance Parker had no place in her brain…nor in her heart. Silly fool. That was what she’d learned…again. She had almost forgotten reality. She was an assignment, and it had ended.
“Here we are,” the marshal said as he pulled up the drive and stopped at the steps to her front door. She did not wait for him to make it all the way to open her door. She did it herself. Then turned to thank him.
“I appreciate your help in this matter, Marshal. Thank you and thanks to the marshal service. Have a good evening.” She walked to the door and Nellie opened it as she reached the threshold. The woman beamed at her, but then the smile faded. She shut the door behind Erin. And that was when the dam broke. No words, just tears. For the first time in many years, the tough judge wept…wrapped in the arms of a mystified housekeeper.
*
“You look like…” Tori began, as she walked toward the figure seated on the steps leading to the river.
“Be careful how you finish that.” The voice was low and devoid of joking.
“Okay, you look fresh as a daisy in those worn jeans, fishy-smelling shirt and a couple days of beard growth. And judging by the six-pack missing two already…you might be having a pity party for one?” Tori sat down on the top step next to him.
“Don’t sit…” he began but she was faster. “Why are you here?”
“Someone saw Erin driving through town yesterday on the road headed to Austin. She wasn’t with you. So, we thought I should come out here because you aren’t answering your phone.”
