"Then get some rest and head out early tomorrow," said Sarah, and Clayton could almost see her nodding, her silvery blonde hair falling over her shoulders. He could even hear the slight rustle when she tucked her hair behind her ears, in that way she did when she was thinking, and his love for her flooded through him. "And I mean early. Then you'll be here by tomorrow night, in plenty of time for Christmas. Do you have the address?"
"Yes," said Clayton, and he didn't have to tell her he'd had it from the second he'd gotten the invitation.
He'd not gone to the wedding where she married Luke, still too hurt over her support of the man, now her ex, who had separated them from each other. But none of that needed saying; they both knew what had happened. And now there was a chance for a new beginning.
They'd talk about what had happened between them at some point, when things had settled down, and the wounds that had begun to close would really start to heal. He couldn't wait to see her and Shawn again, couldn't wait to meet Luke, who had already received Uncle Bill's stamp of approval.
"Tell Luke thank you," said Clayton. He wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand, scrubbing hard. "And tell Shawn I'm on my way."
"I will," said Sarah, the depth of her love oozing up through the slender cell phone. "Drive safe, okay? I can't wait to see you."
"Me too," said Clayton.
His eyes were wet and his mouth was dry, but the cold pockets of emptiness in his heart were starting to fill. It was going to be the first Christmas he was looking forward to since his parents died several years back, the first he and Sarah would spend together without being overloaded with sadness. They weren't going to be sad, they weren't. They were going to be happy, and since Luke was a decent guy, a good guy, he could see her, could see Shawn, any time he wanted. And that was the best Christmas gift of all.
CHAPTER 3
Gritty eyed the next morning, Clayton was packing his small army-green canvas duffle bag when the police called. They had a lead, they said, as someone, several someones actually, had called the station asking about the reward money for the Bowie knife and the beaded sheath. Could Clayton stick around while they investigated the leads? Clayton agreed he would, at least for a few hours, as it was worth the delay in case they actually found the articles.
When he hung up and took a look at his phone, he noticed four messages left for him ass-early while he'd been sleeping. He swiped his thumb to view the transcribed message, which, as usual, was slightly garbled and not very informative. Still, several words stood out in the text:found,Bowie knife,beaded sheath,reward.
When Clayton played each message aloud, the whole thing became a little more clear, though not by much. Each of the callers, all male, were phoning in about the reward they saw offered on Craigslist, which was up to $500 with a timely return of the knife and sheath, no questions asked.
The last message was from Sarah, and as he saw that she'dleft it at 3 a.m., the reason for the tiredness in her voice was easily apparent. And maybe there was a little bit of desperation as well, as she had posted online about the stolen gift, and had left Clayton's phone number as the contact. Hence the calls asking about the reward.
Her message went on to state that she and Luke would pay the reward, and that Clayton wasn't to argue with her about that. Her voice sounded a little sad, as if she'd had that last glass of merlot and decided to take matters into her own hands, only after that, she'd started to feel that Clayton would be mad, and wouldn't come home for Christmas after all and she needed to explain it all.
He needed to call her. Never mind that it was still early. His passionate, vibrant sister would already be up working on her Christmas preparations. Luke was probably helping her, as he seemed to be that kind of guy, and Shawn would be dancing at their heels, hoping for pancakes with chocolate chips in them for breakfast.
Clayton scrubbed at his eyes, and sat on the bed, cell phone in hands, just as he had the night before. He needed coffee as soon as he could get his hands on it, but if he was going to hang around for some guy to come for the reward, he also needed to get to a bank machine, as people who returned stolen items only if there was reward money usually preferred cash.
Sarah answered after only half a ring.
"Clayton?" she asked.
"They're calling already," said Clayton, knowing she would understand his desire for not dancing around the bush. "Did you really think this would help?"
"I did," she said. "How many calls have you gotten thus far?"
"They're lining up for it like wolves," he said, shaking his head. "But it's okay, it's okay. The cops got some calls as well, and they want me to hang around while they check it out. I figure I'll be here till noon, and then I'll leave. Is that okay?"
"Yes, I'm sorry," said Sarah, and in the background Clayton could hear the ding of the timer on the stove, and wondered if it was sweet rolls or pumpkin bread that was just about done in time for breakfast. "It seemed like such a good idea after a glass of wine, you know. But this morning I'm realizing that not everybody is going to be honest about it."
"I'll vet them, don't you worry," said Clayton. "Every single one. And who knows, maybe there's some guy or gal who has found the knife and the sheath and only wants to give them back."
"That'd be in the spirit of Christmas for sure," said Sarah.
"For sure," said Clayton in echo. "All right, well, I'm going to get coffee?—"
"Be sure and eat something, too," said Sarah quickly.
"I will," said Clayton. "See you tonight, sis."
"See you, little brother," said Sarah. Clayton could hear the warmth in her voice, and almost see the little smile, as if she'd just kissed him on the cheek, laughing as he blushed. It had been way too long since they'd seen each other, and while there was going to be a delay in his driving, he'd see her soon. See all of them soon.
"Later, gator," he said.
"Later, gator," she said in response.
