A Soldier's Journey (6 page)

Andy closed the paper. This was getting her nowhere. She wanted to go farther back. She wanted to know Covenant Falls when it was little more than a trading post.

She checked the other bound volumes of papers, but none went back farther than 1919, unless there were scattered editions in the pile of boxes lining the room.

Then she found what she was searching for: a box marked “Early Years.”

She wished she had a computer. She hadn't bothered with one in the hospital or the months of recuperation. The purchase of a cell phone after her release from the hospital had been a big deal.

Note to self—laptop computer.
It would take a bite out of what little money she had, but it was necessary. Not only for this task but for day-to-day living now that she'd decided to be a functioning person again. She opened a box and started prowling through it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

W
HAT
DO
YOU
wear when meeting your landlord and a bunch of strangers while dining at the house of the mayor?

Eve had said it was casual. But there was casual, and then there was more casual. Unfortunately, she didn't have much of a choice. Her wardrobe was limited, and that was an understatement. Her predeployment clothes had been much too large by the time she left the hospital, and she hadn't had the heart, desire or reason to buy more than basic necessities.

That translated into three pairs of jeans, one pair of black pants, two sweaters, three T-shirts and several shirts, including two pullovers. Her choice of footwear was a pair of lace-up walking shoes, a pair of sandals and one pair of well-worn loafers.

She chose the best pair of jeans and a blue-gray shirt with long sleeves. After running a brush through her hair, she added a touch of lipstick, then stared at herself in the mirror. Really looked for the first time in months. Her hair needed a cut. Badly. She was thin, too thin. Her cheeks were hollow.

Joseph watched every movement, following her from room to room as if afraid someone would snatch her.

“It's okay,” she said. “You can come with me.”

The doorbell rang. Joseph barked. “It's a bit late for that,” she told Joseph. “You're supposed to bark before the bell rings.” She hurried to the door and opened it. Nate stood there, a rueful smile on his lips.

“Hi,” he said. “I'm really not stalking you.”

“Are you sure?” she asked with a slight smile.

“Nope, I swear. Eve will vouch for me.”

He wore jeans and a casual blue pullover cotton shirt with short sleeves that showed off muscled arms and a fit body. A shock of unruly chestnut hair fell over his forehead.

“Tell me about the other people at the dinner.”

“Josh is a former loner who finds himself surrounded by people and animals and can't quite figure out how it happened. Clint is the opposite. He's never met a stranger and could charm a rattler. Clint likes to tease Josh about his current zoo and a wife with a finger in a hundred pies.”

“And you enjoy standing back and enjoying it.”

“Guilty. But then Stephanie and Clint are interesting, too. Clint's the outgoing one, and Stephanie is all practicality.”

“Should make for an interesting evening.” Andy turned to Joseph. “Let's go.” Then she glanced back at Nate. “Eve said it was okay to bring him.”

“I would be shocked if he wasn't invited,” Nate replied as Joseph picked up his leash and brought it to her.

“Eve will be impressed,” Nate said as he opened the door for her, then the screen porch. “Her dogs never do that.”

She'd expected the pickup but instead he led her to a middle-aged Buick sedan. “My mom's car,” he said. “I thought it would be more comfortable.”

“She lives here?”

“It's one reason I came back. She's getting older.” A shadow crossed his face and she realized there was probably more to the story. But she knew better than to probe. She didn't want anyone to probe into
her
life.

Once they were on the road, he turned to her. “Everyone who'll be there tonight is good people. Really good people. They'll understand if you need to walk away. Just nod at me, and we'll leave. Okay?”

She swallowed hard.
He understands.
She hadn't been around more than a few people since...waking up. She'd refused group therapy. No way could she talk about what happened.

“Thank you,” she finally said.

He turned on some jazz in the car and they rode in silence.

Nate drove to a parking area in front of a one-story ranch house. A screened-in porch, much like her own, stretched across the front. A boy—maybe ten or so—opened the door and approached the car. He waited as Andy stepped out of the car.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hello to you,” she said with a smile.

“I'm Nick. Mom told me to bring you inside. She said you might have a dog. I have four. They're inside because Mom says they can be too much for a visitor.” He hadn't taken a breath between all the sentences.

“I think I can handle a few dogs,” she said. “And I do have one in the car. Would you like to meet him?”

Nick nodded eagerly.

Nate had walked around the car, and he opened the back door.

Joseph jumped down and stood protectively next to Andy.

“Can I pet him?” Nick asked.

“I think he would like that.”

“What's his name?”

“Joseph.”

Nick knelt and rubbed Joseph's ears. “He's a fine dog,” he said.

“Every dog is a fine dog to Nick,” Eve said as she walked up. “Welcome. The guys are around at the grill in back. Would you like to come in and have a glass of wine before joining them?”

Andy nodded. “Sounds good.” She followed Eve inside while Nate strode behind the house. Joseph was at her heels, and Nick at his.

She stepped inside the porch. “Looks familiar,” she said.

“Josh built the one at the cabin and liked it so much he added this one after we were married. He's great with his hands.”

They went inside to the kitchen. Eve poured two glasses of red wine and handed one to her. “Bill Evans said you stayed at the museum until late.”

“You piqued my interest,” Andy replied.

“Good.”

“But there was nothing about American Indians and gold mines and Scottish traders.”

“I have to admit we have a lot of work to do on the museum, but you'll find bits and pieces of the history. Some exaggerated, some not. Gold was found in the mountains around us, but no one found the amounts discovered farther north. As for the natives, the Utes lived in this area until they were moved west and were mortal enemies of the Apaches, who wandered this way occasionally.”

“And the trader? Angus. I didn't see much about him.”

“You'll find it as you delve into it.”

“The journals you mentioned? Am I going into a minefield?” Andy asked.

Eve looked startled, then she smiled. “You're direct. I like that.” She took a sip from her glass. “A little history will probably help,” she said. “I was city clerk before running for mayor. The former mayor did very little to nothing, which made Al Monroe happy.

“After my husband died,” she continued, “I was at a loss. The mayor decided not to run again, but I'd really been doing his job. My father-in-law urged me to run and, on a dare, I did. No one was more surprised than me when I defeated Al's chosen candidate. We were at loggerheads for the next three years. He made it nearly impossible for any businesses to move here while I watched all the young people leave town.”

Interest stirred in Andy. “I saw in the local newspaper he'd resigned from the council?”

“His nephew, Sam, was on the police force. He wanted to be chief, and I was opposed to it. So Sam decided to make a name for himself. He committed some petty burglaries and tried to frame Josh, the newcomer to Covenant Falls.”

Andy was feeling more at ease as Eve talked. She didn't seem to be holding anything back.

“When Josh first arrived, he was in pretty bad shape. He was rude to everyone and stayed to himself. He was the perfect foil.”

“Obviously not,” Andy said wryly, “since you married him, you're still mayor and the ex-commissioner is nursing his wounds.”

Eve grinned at her. “Obviously not,” she agreed. “But that wasn't the worst of it. Sam kidnapped my son. Josh and his dog, Amos, found him.”

“Where is the nephew now?”

“In jail. He pleaded guilty and received a short sentence, but Al felt he had to resign from the commission. He apologized, which I think was very difficult for him to do, and retreated from everything but his business. He owns the real estate and insurance companies, along with an interest in the bank, which has a branch in his offices.”

“And he harbors bad feelings toward you?”

“Against the whole town, I think. It elected me mayor twice, and he feels it was a repudiation of him. It wasn't. They're just scared the town is dying.”

“And you're sending me into the lion's den?”

“Nothing as dramatic as that. Thing is, I like him. He's had a lot of tragedies. His wife couldn't have children and she's been ill. She pretty much dropped out of everything. His only other family was a sister, but she and her husband died in a car crash. Al raised their boy, Sam. Spoiled him. The whole kidnapping thing destroyed him.”

Sympathy surged through Andy. She knew loss all too well.

And she suddenly realized why Eve had asked her to write the history. “Were you going to ask me to do this before you met me?”

“No.”

“You think Al Monroe and I would be good for each other?”

Eve sighed. “You're too perceptive. I won't lie to you. I had that thought. Not romantically, of course. He's happily married. But he needs something...”

“You baited me neatly.” Andy couldn't keep the disappointment from her voice. She'd liked Eve, but she didn't like being used.

“No. The town really does need a history. Al does have his supporters. The town is divided, and neither side trusts the other. That's why I thought an outsider would be a good idea. After I met you, I sensed that you might get through to Al. I don't know why.”

It was an apology of sorts, and even an implied compliment. Her resentment faded away. “Has anyone seen the journals?” she asked.

Eve shook her head. “His nephew bragged about having seen journals, but when I asked Al about them, he was very non-committal.”

“Maybe there's something in them that he doesn't want someone to see,” Andy surmised.

“After a hundred and fifty years?” Eve said.

“Or,” Andy said, “maybe they don't even exist.”

“That could be true, too,” Eve said, “but he's never denied their existence. I think he's just proud and stubborn.”

Another voice broke in. “Are you ever going to bring Lieutenant Stuart out to meet the crew?”

Andy turned. Josh Manning—it must be Josh Manning—filled the doorway into the kitchen. He was tall, solidly built with tawny hair and emerald green eyes.

“Hello,” he said to her. “Welcome to Covenant Falls. I'm Josh, and I've come to save you from my wife.”

“Hi. I understand you're my landlord. Thank you.”

“Thank my buddy. He left the cabin to me. It's what he would have wanted.” His green eyes clouded over for a split second, then cleared. “I hope you're comfortable.”

“It's very nice. I took a walk up your mountain yesterday.”

“I did that on a regular basis. It usually cleared my head.” He peered down at Joseph. “Who is this?”

“Joseph.”

Her host leaned down. “He's a handsome fellow. Okay to pet him?”

“Sure. He loves attention,” she said, suddenly at ease with Josh as he leaned down and rubbed Joseph's ears.

“Come and meet my particular savior,” he said. “Or one of them.” He led the way outside, where a dog resembling a German shepherd stood at the step. “This is Amos, a Belgian Malinois,” he said. “He was a military dog before he became my best buddy.”

The two dogs, Amos and Joseph, looked at each other, sniffed each other thoroughly, then wagged their tails before retreating to their humans.

Andy took several steps down to a large patio, and Josh guided her over to a man and woman who were drinking long-necked beers. “The lady is Stephanie, veterinarian superb,” Josh said, “and the loafer is Clint Morgan, chopper pilot, police-chief-to-be and your predecessor at the cabin.”

Stephanie smiled. “Welcome,” she said. A striking redhead, she was nearly as tall as Clint. She eyed Joseph. “Shelties are great dogs. Where did you find him?”

Andy hesitated. She really hated to admit she'd needed help.

But then she shrugged. “A group specializing in matching dogs with veterans. A psychologist at the hospital arranged it.”

“How long have you had him?” Stephanie asked.

“About three weeks.”

“He's obviously well trained. He doesn't take his eyes off you.”

“We're getting used to each other. I thought there would be other dogs here.”

“We tried to restrain ourselves tonight,” Stephanie said with a big grin. “I have two at home. Clint has one. Josh has Amos, and Eve has four rescues. We thought to keep your first visit relatively peaceful. We didn't want you to run back to Texas on your second day.”

“Sit,” Josh said. “I'm putting steaks on the grill. How do you like yours?”

“Medium.” She put her drink on a table and sank down into one of the lounge chairs. She looked at Stephanie. “Are you a native of Covenant Falls?”

“I've been here a little more than five years,” she said. “I'm one of the newcomers. If I had been here twenty years, I would still be a newcomer, but that's okay. We're not too discriminated against.”

Andy decided she needed a longer conversation with Eve about Covenant Falls politics and, more specifically, about Al Monroe, but this was not the time or place.

Andy sipped her glass of wine. She drank very little since her return to the States. Her medications had narrowed to two, one for panic attacks and the other for insomnia. She hadn't used those in several days, but she was still cautious about alcohol.

The sun was going down, and vivid scarlet, pink and coral ribbons crossed the sky and blessed the mountain.

Nate returned and Andy looked at the three men—Nate, Clint and Josh—around her. They had served, probably survived horrors as she had. But she still felt apart from them. They seemed at ease, living in the moment. Talking about events that had nothing to do with her. The shadows inside were still too strong, the memories too recent.