“I can’t imagine that the hands of that watch have moved any faster than they did the last two dozen times you checked.” The words floated her way across the expanse of deck from where he stood in the farthest corner, methodically casting his fishing line over and over in what had become an all-consuming, mind-bending monotony, over the last three-quarters of an hour.
She had found the clothing items and the faded blue jeans and oversized denim shirt were quite a fashion statement. NOT. The sleeves were too long and she had rolled them up as best as she could, but they had a habit of falling. At least it gave her something to do…rolling them back up her arm. The jeans were an inch or so big in the waist, but she found a safety pin to help with that. Searching through some drawers in the other guest room, she found a pair of bright pink and lime-green socks. She put them on for some protection for her bare feet. The broken shoes were destined for the trash can when she found replacements.
To his credit, he had glanced at her entrance onto the deck earlier, noted her change, and then went back to his pursuit of a fish. He did not say a word. That was a wise decision to her way of thinking. She dusted off a deck chair with her hand and then settled herself into it at the opposite side of the deck. Thankfully, she had thought to dump a couple of files of upcoming cases inside her bag before they left her office. She took one out to read and pass the time, making her notes in the margins. The quiet was noticeable. Erin was used to something…some sound…always in the background. Here there was nothing but the wind in the trees above them, the sound of the casting line leaving the reel now and then, and birds calling out to each other.
Erin found herself having to read the same sentences more than once. Her eyes kept getting heavier and heavier. And then they stayed closed. The warmth of the sunlight filtering through the trees overhead was just enough to make the light breeze feel comfortable on her skin. And when the folder was taken gently and placed on the table beside her, she never felt a thing. The silence lengthened and a feeling of floating and water gently lapping on a shoreline was peaceful.
Then the sound of a car door slamming broke through the screen of silence. Her eyes didn’t want to open to the intrusion. Boots sounding across the decking pried one and then the other to peek out at the world. She was alone on the deck. Hands pushed herself up straighter and sounds of a conversation came across to her. She stood and saw the marshal take the last couple of strides before his arms went out and a woman was lifted into a tight hug, and she reacted with laughter and seemed to enjoy the reunion.
Erin’s attention was on alert. Was this person bringing news of her freedom? Why else would someone else be here? He said no one knew they were there…except the marshal who met them with the jeep and then left. And just who was this woman who earned another big hug and kiss on the cheek? A girlfriend? Interesting.
Then the woman noticed her, and she waved. That was interesting too. She didn’t seem to mind that her boyfriend was here alone with another woman? Then she remembered her state of dress, and she couldn’t blame her for discounting her. Not her best foot forward. And she realized she didn’t even have a best foot to put forward. To her added surprise, the woman was headed her way, and the lawman was left to retrieve a basket from the back seat of the car.
“Hi! I’m Tori,” the woman said as she mounted the top step of the deck and came with a hand outstretched in greeting. Her smile was warm and welcoming. “I’ll simply introduce myself because my baby brother tends to be a little slow sometimes…like now. Hurry up, Rance. The poor girl could use those things.”
Erin liked the self-assured greeting…no wimpy handshake. It felt natural to return the smile with one of her own.
“I’m…”
“Mary,” Rance supplied ahead of her. “Mary Williams.”
Erin was quiet for a moment. Tori wasn’t. “Right, Mary Williams.” She winked at Erin. “This family has a habit of many names to remember and then forget, but that is for another chat. Don’t worry, I’m the Mayor of Destiny’s River, and my lips are used to being sealed. I brought some things you might need. I do believe I chose just about the right sizes. And if you need anything else while you are here…Rance knows where to find me and also what to find at Primrose House.”
“Thank you,” Erin said, finally finding a break in the other woman’s words. “I appreciate what you’re doing. I’m hoping I won’t be here all that long.”
“Well, my brother’s made a real impression on you, then.” She shot him a big-sister look. “We really do have a wonderful town here and good people. Maybe you’ll have a chance to see some of it. Just to keep from getting cabin fever.”
“But it’s a lovely cabin,” Erin responded.
Tori grinned. “Do you know how to cook?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Don’t you have a building to condemn or a sewer issue or something to go take care of?” Rance clearly meant to hurry his sister along.
“Well, I know that Rance’s culinary skills consist of grilled cheese sandwiches with a crunchy crust, and maybe some peanut butter ones if you’re lucky. Did you practice those scrambled eggs like I showed you, little brother?”
He frowned and sat the box on the table. “I graduated to mac and cheese. We won’t starve.”
“Just as I thought,” she said with a shake of her head. “Don’t worry, I added some casseroles, veggies, and a dessert or two in the other box. Please get them.”
“You’ve gotten way too bossy after being re-elected twice now to mayor.” He mumbled other things under his breath, but he set off to retrieve the other box from the car.
“He can be a pain at times, but he is one heck of a lawman. Runs in the family genes, I guess.”
“Runs in the family?” Erin’s interest was caught and held.
“Well, I’m a mayor married to a county judge; our sister is retired from the marshal’s service; our brother, Matt, is the town sheriff; and that leaves Rance. You’re in good hands, but don’t let him know I said that.”
“Don’t let him know what? Tori, what trouble are you stirring?” He had returned with the bigger box.
Tori winked at Erin and then patted her brother’s shoulder as she headed toward the steps. “Must run now. You reach out if you need anything at all. Nice to meet you, Erin…oops, I mean Mary!”
Her laughter died only when the car door shut behind her and the engine came alive. A wave was sent their way, and she was gone.
“She’s nice. It was good of her to do all of this.”
“Right,” Rance grumbled, heading into the house with the box of food. Erin followed with the box of clothing.
