“And keep your doors and windows locked, just in case,” he added grimly.
“We always do that.”
“Keep a phone handy, too,” he advised.
She nodded.
“I’m sorry you ever got involved in this,” he said.
“We don’t get to choose our families,” Keely said philosophically.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
* * *
She went home after work and told her mother what she’d learned from Sheriff Carson. Ella was obviously relieved.
“I was scared to death,” she confessed to her daughter. “Sheriff Carson isn’t going to arrest me? He told you that?”
“He told me,” Keely replied. “But he does want you to put the house up for sale.”
“I can do that.” Ella smoothed her hands over her silk slacks. “Yes. I can do that.” She looked her age. She hadn’t even put on makeup. “I’ve only had one drink today,” she said after a minute, and smiled at her daughter. “I’m shaky. But maybe I can give it up, if I try.”
Keely felt the beginnings of a real relationship with her mother. “Really?” she asked, and smiled.
“Well, just don’t expect too much,” Ella laughed. “I’ve been a heavy drinker most of my life. It isn’t easy to quit.”
“I understand. I’ll help. Anyway I can.”
Ella studied the younger woman quietly. “You’re a good kid, Keely,” she said. “I haven’t been a good mother. I wish…” She shrugged. “Well, we don’t get many second chances. But I’ll try.”
“That’s all anyone can do,” Keely replied. Impulsively she hugged her mother. Ella hesitated for a minute, but then she hugged her back. It was a moment out of time, when anything seemed possible. But it only seemed that way.
* * *
Keely had hoped that Boone might call her, or bring Bailey by the office for a checkup or even be at home when she went riding with Winnie on the occasional Saturday. But he stayed away.
She accepted an invitation to go riding at the Sinclairs’, hoping for a glimpse of Boone. She knew it was pathetic, but she was hungry to see him, under any circumstances. Winnie led the way down a wooded path to the river that ran through the property. Keely started to get down off her horse.
“Don’t,” Winnie said quickly, indicating the tall grass. “Rattlers are crawling. One of the boys killed two of them near the river this week.”
“It’s really hot,” Keely said, unnerved by the mention of snakes. She was terrified of them.
“Yes, and they like cool places,” Winnie said. “We’d better get back,” she added, checking her watch. “I have to go in this afternoon. One of our dispatchers had a death in the family and I promised to fill in for her.”
“You’re a nice person,” Keely said. “I really mean that.”
Winnie smiled. “Thanks, Keely. So are you. I mean it, too.”
“How’s Clark?” she asked on the way back.
“Heading for tragedy,” Winnie said coolly. “He’s still seeing that woman.”
“How do you know?”
“He stuffed a jewelry box into his pocket when he thought I wasn’t looking last night,” she said.
“But she’s married,” Keely argued. “What if her husband finds out?”
