Chapter 11
Sheriff Dudley was over six feet tall and reminded Allie vaguely of Mr. Clean. His manners were spot-on, but she was filled with so much dread she couldn’t even return his smile.
It seemed to take eons to answer all his questions. Thankfully the store clerk was able to provide a detailed description of the two boys.
Once the woman tore her eyes from Luke long enough to return to her job, the sheriff turned to Allie and Luke. “Can I give you kids a ride somewhere?”
The thought of pulling up to her grandparents’ house in a sheriff’s car... “Oh no, that’s okay.”
Luke checked his watch. “Sure about that? We’re already late, and it’s not like we’re going to catch an Uber around here.”
“You’re right about that.” Sheriff Dudley nodded. “Where you folks headed?”
Allie’s stomach knotted. “My grandparents’ house—Lou and Vicki Stuart.”
“I know them. My mother plays bingo with Miss Vicki on Wednesday nights at the community center.”
Perfect.
And just like that, they were riding with Sheriff Dudley, Luke in the front for legroom and Allie in the back seat like a common criminal. She looked over at Walter on the seat beside her. He rested his big head on his paws, already on his way to another successful nap.
Once they were on their way, Allie bucked up her courage and dialed her mom. Better to give a little warning before she broke her family’s hearts. But her mother seemed to have her phone off. Her dad’s phone rang and rang, which wasn’t unusual.
As much as she hated to, she dialed her sister. But Olivia must’ve had her hands full in the kitchen. Somehow Allie didn’t have her brother-in-law’s phone number, and her grandparents didn’t believe in cell phones.
Looked like they would find out about her monumental failure in person.
“I can’t reach my family,” Allie told Luke during a lull in his conversation with Sheriff Dudley.
“We’re almost there anyway,” the sheriff said. “Just up the street.”
Allie looked out the window. He was right. The knots in her stomach tightened, a sense of doom hanging over her like a thundercloud. Before she could gather herself, they were pulling into her grandparents’ driveway. There was the big white farmhouse and the red barn behind it. Cars lined one side ofthe wide drive, leaving the other side free for passing—and that’s just what Sheriff Dudley was doing.
“Oh, hey...” Allie leaned forward. “You think you could—”
The sheriff chirped the siren as he breezed past the house, heading to the back.
Oh, good. Now everyone would see her pulling up in a sheriff’s car, in the back seat, no less, restored ’57 Chevy nowhere in sight.
The crowd turned their way. It seemed the entire town of Bedford had shown up for the big event. There was Gram, little Emma on her hip, and Gramps, showing off his newly stained deck to someone Allie didn’t know. Even Mom and Olivia had escaped the confines of the kitchen in time for her arrival.
Sheriff Dudley pulled to a stop, and Allie exited the car, leaving the door open for Walter. She was vaguely aware of Luke unloading their stuff, then the sheriff gave a wave and circled back out of the drive.
Her mom had approached, looking summery in pink capris and a billowy white top, her blonde hair pulled into a chic ponytail. “Allie, what in the world?” Her harsh whisper harkened back to Allie’s childhood days. “Where is the car?”
“Hi, Mom. I can explain.” Allie hugged her, finding the embrace stiff and formal.
Dad joined them, his dark brows pinched behind his glasses. “Where’s the car? What happened?”
Allie swallowed hard as she drew back. “Mom, Dad... I hate to tell you this, but—”
“Allie, honey, are you all right?” Gram approached, looking beautiful with her short gray hair curled and her makeup just so. She gathered Allie in a warm, soft hug. “Did you have an accident, dear? Are you hurt?”
“Please tell me you didn’t have an accident.” Her mom’s voice was tight.
“No, ma’am.” Luke shared a look with Allie, silently asking if he should expound.
But no, this was her responsibility. Gramps had joined them, along with Olivia and Spencer. After greeting them, they all waited with expectant expressions.
