Letters From Al (6 page)

"My job is my job. Of course I like it. What kind of a question is that?" She felt cornered.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. It's just that I feel like I'm getting a second chance at something important here and you mentioned a boyfriend. I don't mean to pry but you didn’t sound very happy about it. Like I said if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm available."

It was hard to admit she'd left behind a dead-end job, a lonely apartment, and a boyfriend she didn't trust. True she had friends and felt comfortable in her little apartment, but only because it was convenient. The scary part was she had been tempted to go back just because she didn't want to face the thought of change. But she'd be darned if she would admit that to herself, or him, now.

"To tell you the truth, Alec, I'd planned to dispose of my great aunt's things as quickly as possible. After all, I had no reason to think there was anything for me here. It's a pretty small town after living in Chicago. I don't think I’m much of a small town girl. I don’t know if I'd be content here."

"Well, that makes sense, I guess." Alec regarded her quizzically for a moment, but if he was disappointed, he didn't say so. It made her feel awful inside, but stubbornly she fought it off, wanting some breathing room.

"I have a full life back in Chicago. I can't, just, up and, well, you know, leave." She struggled again.

He shrugged, this time when he looked at her it was in a different light.

"I pushed too hard, you don't need to explain anything to me. It's just been good seeing you, really, Maddy." He smiled and excused himself. "Hey, I'll go check the back door and make sure everything is locked up for the night and then I better get going. I've got an early shift in the morning."

Maddy only half noticed his departure. Her head was throbbing equally from fatigue and stress. She hadn't planned on sparring with Alec. She hadn't expected him to even be in Nielsen anymore. But how could he presume to interfere in her life? If only he'd kept in touch all those years ago, just a few lousy letters might have made all the difference in her life.

Stepping cautiously into the living room, she gazed in wonder at the room so lovingly arranged. Even under sheets and in a dusty state, the room flowed in beauty with rich wood and classic, elegant taste. Slowly she uncovered a few more pieces, running her hand over the mantle of the old fireplace, long unlit. Her feet sank into the plush, delicately flowered carpet.

Emotion overwhelmed her, envisioning her great aunt greeting guests in the ambiance of this very room. Gently Maddy touched the velvet fainting couch and pulled the sheet from the ornate settee. Cleverly arranged knick-knacks, little music boxes, southern belles dancing on porcelain pedestals, birds in ceramic branches sat as they had when Aunt Madeline had lived here.

The mirror above the fireplace showed her reflection, the wonder of living such a life. Suddenly a man's strong features appeared beside her, Alec. They looked at each other through the mirror's eyes.

His hand rested gently on her shoulder and Maddy yearned to lean back into his arms, wondering if it could be the way she remembered it after so many years. It would be easy to do, but would it be right?

Remembering the way she was then, the way she felt drawn to this little town, her feelings now being turned inside out. Meeting him was coincidence? How did she fall under his trance, this handsome, impulsive, deputy. It could turn out to be an improbable situation.

"There are a few things in the freezer and coffee in the cupboard for breakfast. That is, unless you'd care to have breakfast with me." His voice was oddly gentle.

Maddy swallowed hard trying not to smile at his invitation "How nice of you to ask me, but Mr. Lancaster insisted we meet for breakfast, get an early start on the paperwork and all. You understand?"

"I can't believe you are going out with a guy twice my age." He shook his head and grinned at her teasingly. "It's just my luck to be beaten to the punch by him."

If the truth be known, she would have much rather gone to eat with Alec than her aunt's rather strange realtor, but she wasn't going to let him know that.

"I have to get this estate paperwork wrapped up. Sorry." She really was contrite.

“
You could cancel and reschedule with your Mr. Lancaster.” Alec said coyly.

"He's not 'My Mr. Lancaster and why in the world would you say something like that? He's been completely professional from what I can tell." Maddy crossed her arms a bit defensively.

"I wish you would tell me what's really bothering you

instead of hiding behind this murky suspicion. I know you're a cop and all, I mean a deputy sheriff, sorry. But if there's something I should know, I wish you'd just spit it out."

“
No, no, nothing like that. Just my cop instincts flaring, I guess.”

“
I see. Well, I appreciate the concern when it comes to prowlers anyway. Glad you decided to hang around. But I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

"I'm sure you are but I’m glad I hung around here too. I'm very glad you decided to make the trip back yourself, Maddy." His larger hand engulfed hers. A vaguely sensuous feeling passed between them. "Very glad," he repeated and squeezed her hand gently as he turned to go.

"I still think you should have breakfast with me and meet Leland later, but, your decision." He lifted his hand in a wave as he went down the steps.

Maddy watched him saunter down the sidewalk. The emotional weight of the day had worn her down to a nub. She couldn't help but smile at meeting Alec and the memories she held in her heart like reality once again. It just surprised her how strongly she felt about them and him.

"Take care, deputy. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry Leland beat you to the draw for breakfast." She smiled and waved back.

She still had a subtle feeling that she was a stranger coming in and taking over. What if people thought she was just here for what she could get? Is that how it always looked during inheritances? Maybe that's why she felt guilty. It's what she had thought she would do herself at first.

The doorbell rang just then and thinking it was Alec come back for another sparring match, she yanked the door open. "If you've come back to argue, I'm not in the mood. Oh, my goodness. I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. You're the neighbor, next door. Hi, come in."

A bewildered looking older woman with a tin foil covered plate in her hand stood at the door.

“
Have I come at a bad time, my Dear?” Peering over her glasses she sighed, “I have come at a bad time. You don’t even know me and here I stand so late in the evening. What did Alec say about me? Said I was snoopy, didn’t he?”

"Yes, I mean, no, he merely said we were neighbors. I'm Maddy Morris. Alec and I seemed to disagree about the impression one makes on other people sometimes."

"Well, according to him you haven't seen each other for fifteen years. That's a long time. You need to go slow.”

‘
I see he's been talking to you already. Well, I agree, and I think he does too, now, Mrs. Smith."

"Good. You two have plenty of time to catch up." Aunt Polly handed her the dish and looked Maddy up and down carefully. "You can call me Aunt Polly like everyone else in town. That's coffeecake for breakfast, by the way." She patted Maddy's hand, a friendly bond forming between the two women instantly.

"My, my, you do favor her. Your Aunt, Miss Madeline, I mean."

"I do? It's strange to hear that, but nice. I'd like to hear more about her and her life here sometime if you don't mind, that is." Maddy was intrigued.

"One thing you'll learn about me, my dear, is I like to talk. I'd love to acquaint you with her, after the fact, of course. Such a shame she's gone, I miss her a lot. Alec said you didn't remember her."

"He has been talking a lot. Well, I guess it's no secret. I was in junior high the last time I saw her. To be truthful, I don't think I paid much attention when I was here. Just being a stupid kid."

"Not stupid, just being a kid." Aunt Polly said graciously.

Maddy went into the kitchen with Aunt Polly following behind. "I think Alec's feelings are hurt because Leland asked me out to breakfast in the morning." Maddy said carefully. "He didn't say anything but I think he was disappointed."

"I see. Well, people in Chicago do eat breakfast don't they?" Her quizzical look revived Maddy's humor.

"Yes, even we eat breakfast in Chicago, Aunt Polly. What the good deputy objects to, is who I'm having it with."

"Oh, I'm not surprised." The older woman nodded. "I don't think that's much of his business, do you?"

"Exactly, but I didn't say it that way." Maddy felt vindicated.

"There'll be plenty of time for you two to go out later."

Maddy swallowed hard. "I don't think I'll be here long enough for that distinct pleasure. But I'm sure there must be a lot of women wanting to go out with Alec."

Aunt Polly looked pensive but didn't speak.

"Well, it's awfully late, my dear. I wanted to apologize for staring at you this afternoon when you arrived. My eyes aren't as good as they once were, but you know I think Alec is right, you do look a lot like your aunt."

"Thank you, that makes me feel very good. I'm a little low on relatives at the moment, the few I have I don't like much." Maddy walked to the front door with her.

"Well, she knew you and loved you, young lady. I can tell you that, and more. But, it's getting late. I thought I'd drop by when I saw Alec's patrol car out front. See if you needed anything."

"By the way, Alec and Leland Lancaster don't always get on but don't let it bother you. Don't know why exactly. He's done some work for me and gets a little full of himself, irritates me sometimes too, but, we enjoy getting on each other's nerves. I think you just need to keep an eye on him." Aunt Polly finished with a knowing look. "I understand Alec's reaction." She chuckled under her breath.

"You don't know why?" Maddy wondered.

"Not really, just the way Leland does things. A lot of us don't see eye to eye with him. So, are you going to be okay?"

"I'm fine. I just need a place to rest my head tonight and then tomorrow I hope to know more about things."

"Seems like Alec wants to catch up where you two left off." Aunt Polly said knowingly glancing into the living room as they passed it.

Her new friend and neighbor waved a wrinkled hand and laughed. "Oh, he's got more virtues than vices. I imagine you'll find that out. Besides, there's plenty of time. One thing, though, your great aunt thought a great deal of your parents and you. Bless her soul. I still miss her."

"I miss her and I hardly knew her." Maddy said sadly.

"I just know Madeline told me she didn't ever want anyone from the old days to know where she was. Only kept in touch with your folks and they promised not to tell. Funny about the past, ‘It'll all come out one day,’ she used to say to me, ‘when it's time.’"

Aunt Polly shrugged and stepped out in the cool, summer evening. She wiped her eyes with a white handkerchief. "She had her reasons and I respected them. Maybe it's time now for it to all to be laid to rest."

Maddy leaned on the door, exhausted, suddenly overwhelmed by everything. "I hope so. Okay then, all in good time, Aunt Polly, good night."

"I still can't get over Alec," The spry little old lady with appropriately enough round granny glasses and spiffy white Reeboks on, chuckled as she went down the walk. "He let Leland beat him asking you out. He's got a good heart though, Honey. Good night.

"Good night, Aunt Polly. Thanks for the coffee cake." Maddy felt still felt conflicted.

"Give me a call when you get back from breakfast. Mind you, watch that Leland like I said. Don't let him talk you into signing anything until you sleep on it. It's best to keep your wits about you."

Maddy would have loved to ask why they both warned her about Leland Lancaster. This Leland didn't appear to be a ladies man, and they couldn't say anything bad about him, but one could never tell. Locking the door securely, she flipped off the outside lights, leaning wearily on the banister. She would just make sure she watched everything closely. What an odd assortment of people she had met this day.

Eyeing the phone, she thought about calling Chicago to let her friends know she had arrived safely but she wasn't in any mood to hear their list of concerns. Later the last thought skittering across her mind as she pulled the hand made quilt up to her chin consisted of wavy, light hair and big blue eyes staring at her. It had been a long time since she went to sleep dreaming about a man.

"Good night, Deputy Sheriff Alec McKay, wherever you are. I think it might prove interesting to stay around for at least a little while, just to find out what makes you tick," Maddy said yawning widely. Seconds later the soft feather pillow cushioned her into a dream world full of new thoughts and old memories.

Chapter
4

Jerking awake early the next morning, Maddy couldn't figure out why she felt so exhausted. Until she recalled dreaming all night of her and Leland and Alec in a boxing ring. The thought of sparring in person with either of them wasn't any more appealing now.
Darn men.
Plumping up the pillows, she sat back and looked around the room. She felt surrounded by her great aunt's personality as well as her personal possessions.