“Shocked me, too. Now, if you want Jake he’s down at the shed with Katie and the others.”
“Others?” Cubby’s heart did not skip at the thought of seeing Katie, he told himself. Visions of her riding his body this morning nearly made his eyes cross.
“Go have a look, it’ll surprise you.”
“Okay, but I need to speak to the book club first.”
“Come this way then.”
Nancy McBride, Ellen Todd, the local teacher and Declan’s rumored sweetheart, HRH, Millie Lawrence, Branna, and Elizabeth Heath all made up the book club. It had been formed many years ago, and everyone in Howling knew it was the real power behind the town. Decisions were made there that affected their community. The women ranged in age and occupation, and most could trace their heritage back to those women who started the club. Cubby had realized early in his tenure that if he wanted something done, he came to these women to get it.
“Sheriff Hawker, please take a seat.”
Henrietta Roberts Haigh barked out the words, and he fought the urge to straighten his shoulders.
“I’ll only be a few minutes, ladies, but I have an issue that I need your help with.”
“Cubby, are you getting enough sleep?” Nancy McBride came to his side and studied his face. She touched his forehead. “Don’t you burn yourself out, boy, you get plenty of rest now, and that’s an order from your doctor.”
Feeling uncomfortable about the fact that he’d spent the night rolling around on the sheets with her daughter, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You need to eat something, Cubby.” Lizzie Heath was next up out of her seat. She took his hand and squeezed it in one of her soft pale ones. “You sit down now and have a nice cup of tea and some cake.”
“Ah, I really—”
“Sit!”
Cubby sank his butt onto a chair at HRH’s bark. A cup of tea appeared and then a plate of food.
“Now, you tell us what you need help with, Sheriff, and we’ll do what we can,” Ellen Todd said. Gentler than the others, the local schoolteacher gave him a smile. “We’re just organizing things for the funeral tomorrow.”
“Of course, and the Lee family will be grateful for your help, I’m sure.” He took a sip of the tea and nearly gagged. It was so sweet his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He hated tea. “The thing is, ladies, the Hot Foot is in three days, and we’re not sure whether we should run it or not. I’d like your thoughts on the matter.”
They discussed the issue loudly, worked through the pros and cons. Cubby sat quietly and watched while he ate. The final verdict was that it should go ahead, because the people of Lake Howling needed it, HRH told him. He assured them they would have security in place, but that they could not monitor every part of the race.
“But the route only skirts along the trail closest to the road, and with so many people in town, I think there will be enough eyes out there to ensure everyone is safe,” Branna said.
Cubby took a bite of Buster’s cake. “Nice cake, Branna.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a wink and he swallowed his smile.
“All right, that settles it then.” Cubby got to his feet. “It will go ahead. Thank you for your time,” he added before making for the door.
“You’re the best man for the job, you know.”
Cubby spun on his heel at the words, to face HRH.
“Thank you.” The woman had questioned him repeatedly over the years, over any important decisions he’d made, sometimes loudly, but now she was supporting him. It was a weird and slightly uncomfortable feeling.
“I saw something in you from the beginning that your father never had, Sheriff Hawker. You have integrity, loyalty, and a thirst for righting the wrongs that those who break the law inflict on the innocent.”
“Those are kind words, Mrs.—”
“I’m not finished yet, James.”
“Apologies, ma’am.” Cubby knew the door was only a foot away, but couldn’t bring himself to walk through it. HRH wasn’t done, but he sure wished she was. Her words were uncomfortable. He’d never been happy with praise.
“You and I both remember that night I found you; we’ve never spoken of it, but I want you to know that I’m proud of the man you’ve become, and the town of Howling is safe in your hands, no matter the outcome of this investigation.”
