More Than Great Riches (14 page)

Pulling out of the store parking lot, she glanced at her watch. Ouch. She was running out
of time. Grocery shopping took longer than she expected. So much to do, but she was due at
work in an hour. She would have to settle for putting away the food that needed
refrigeration and leave the rest of her load for later. But Thor would need a visit to the
backyard and she had to change into her uniform.

She groaned aloud as she approached her house. Keith’s Maserati sat in her driveway again.
What did the man want now? Why wasn’t he in Boston making speeches or passing laws or
whatever state representatives were supposed to do?

She parked her car in the swale in front of the house. She didn’t want to park behind
Keith and block his exit. He was already getting out of his car with that phony smile on
his face.

Snatching up the bag of frozen foods, she hurried up the driveway. Keith, she said coolly,
I’m sorry. I don’t have time for a visit right now. I’m late for work.

But we need to talk, he protested. I’ll just come in for a minute.

No, you can’t come in. I’m in a hurry.

Keith’s frown revealed his irritation. She should know that common folks just didn’t say
no to Mr. Distinguished State Representative Bradford. I have some important information
for you.

Then tell me now or call me tomorrow. She would not relent.

Keith hesitated, but finally seemed to get the message. She was not going to let him in
the door. Well, the good news is that I received the check from the insurance company for
Jeff’s car.

That’s good. She wondered why that news required a personal visit.

They gave him book value plus a little extra for the special fittings. I’m sure the car
was worth more than that, but you know how these insurance companies operate.

Yes, I do. Tracy shifted the grocery bag to the other arm.

I’ll deposit the check in Jeff’s account tomorrow.

That will be fine. She tapped her foot impatiently.

Now the bad news, Judge Whitby recommended that the court deny your petition to be named
conservator of Jeff’s assets.

Tracy tried not to let Keith see her disappointment. I expected that.

There’s a possibility that I’ll be appointed conservator, so we can continue to work
together. He gave her his trademark sly wink.

The thought of seeing more of Keith was enough to make her ill, but she swallowed the sour
taste in her mouth. I understand. She gritted her teeth. Is that all? I really have to go.

Well, there’s one more item that might be of interest to you. Keith seemed to be licking
his chops over this last tidbit.

And what is that?

Before the court appointed Judge Whitby as guardian ad litem, your dear friend the police
chief was offered the job. He turned it down.

That hurt. Tracy felt the pain like a knife in the heart. If Leif really believed in her,
why would he refuse the chance to help her? She forced herself to keep a poker face,
trying to ignore Keith’s triumphant smile.

Thank you for the information. She lifted her chin. I’ll see you in church. Turning her
back so that Keith couldn’t see her tears, she marched briskly to the front door.

Thor leaned contentedly against the old plaid sofa as Maggie scratched his neck. He was a
sucker for anyone who found that magic spot under his collar.

Maggie, I was such an idiot. Tracy bit back tears. Some hurts were too deep for pain. She
felt hollow inside – an emptiness at the core of her being. I vowed I would never give
another man the power to hurt me. And then I fell for Leif.

You’re not an idiot, Maggie broke in.

You think not? I was actually dumb enough to believe he felt something special for me. And
he seemed so different from other men—a real Christian, honest and straightforward. But
he’s just like the rest of the male species. When you think you can count on them, they
bail out.

Tracy, you’re not stupid, you’re blind, Maggie insisted. Leif is crazy about you. Haven’t
you seen that look in his eyes when he sees you, like he’s melting inside?

Melting?
That was a laugh
. All Tracy saw in his eyes was suspicion. If he’s so crazy about me, why didn’t he accept
the appointment as guardian ad litem. How can he say he believes in me and then turn down
a chance to help me?

I’m sure he had a good reason. Maggie always played attorney for the defense.

But Tracy shook her head. I should have known from the start that it was all an act. He
was always around, playing Good Samaritan—driving me to the hospital, driving me to
church, driving me to work. And little dum-dum me—I was flattered by all the attention.
But he was just being a cop, keeping an eye on a dangerous criminal who might corrupt his
precious town.

Maybe you were just a suspect at first, Maggie reasoned, but don’t you see? When he got to
know you, he found the real Tracy behind all the rumors.

So, he let them sic Judge Whitby on me.

Tracy, use your head. Leif must have turned down the appointment weeks ago, before he
really knew you.

Well, all I know, is I’ll be glad when Rick Timmons is behind bars and Mr. Police Chief
isn’t hovering over me every minute. If it weren’t for Jeff, I’d go back to New York and
forget I ever heard of Allerton.

You don’t mean that, Maggie protested.

Tracy hesitated. No, she didn’t mean it. Three years ago she had run away from Allerton,
too much of a coward to face a man’s betrayal. But she would never run again. Allerton was
home. No matter what Leif did or said, her church family had rallied around her. She
didn’t want to leave Maggie again, and she wouldn’t abandon Rev. Jim and her bell ringers.

Maggie frowned as she glanced at her wristwatch. Tracy, I don’t like leaving you like
this, but I have to go. We’ve got a new boarder arriving this afternoon. But, I’m going to
tell you one last thing. Leif Ericson is in love with you.

Sure he is. Tracy made a face. But thanks for letting me unload on you.

That’s why God invented friends. Maggie gave her a hug at the door.

Tracy fought back tears as her best friend drove off. So Maggie thought Leif was in love
with her.
As
if.
She knew one thing for sure—she was in love with Leif—head over heels, and there was
nothing she could do about it.

But she wouldn’t give in. She closed the door and straightened her shoulders. No more
weeping and moping. Broken heart or no, she would concentrate on something else. She
needed to mark the colors on the new handbell music.

Some of her ringers were learning to actually read the notes, but a few of them still
looked for those red and blue circles. She dreaded their next rehearsal. Could she bury
her feelings while she looked at Leif’s stony face?

Her gloom was shattered by the ringing of the phone. She was in no mood to talk right now,
but she hadn’t found time to hook up the new answering machine. It was still sitting in
the box. She should probably tell Leif about the hang-up calls, but she had no intention
of telling Leif anything, ever again.

But the phone went on ringing. If she was lucky, it would be another hang-up. She picked
up the receiver. Tracy Dixon, she said listlessly.

Miss Dixon, this is Dr. Burrows.

Tracy’s heart stopped. Dr. Burrows! What’s happened? Is Jeff—is Jeff ... She trailed off,
unable to make herself say the words.

I really should wait until I could tell you this in person, but I felt you should know
immediately. The doctor hesitated. The man we are treating here is not your brother.

Stunned, Tracy sat down hard. What—what did you say?

The man you have been visiting here is not Jeffrey Dixon.

Tracy’s breath became ragged. But—but—that can’t be possible. Who is he? Where is Jeff?

The doctor sounded weary. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the answers. We’re trying to
identify our patient, but we have no way of knowing where your brother is.

How—how do you know this? How did this happen? Her mind wouldn’t accept his words.

When the patient arrived here, we were told that he was Jeffrey Dixon. We were only
concerned with saving his life. When we got him through the resuscitation stage, we sent
for his medical records from the VA hospital. That’s when we noticed that some things
didn’t fit. The blood type was the same, the age was about right, but the records showed
that Jeffrey Dixon had lost his right leg from the knee down. Our patient was missing only
his right foot.

The doctor heaved a deep sigh. We checked with the state police who were at the scene of
the accident. They said the victim’s wallet and identification were totally destroyed, but
the car was registered to Jeffrey Dixon. That didn’t resolve our problem, so we managed to
obtain Jeffrey’s dental records. They clearly did not match our patient. I don’t know what
else I can tell you except that this man is not your brother.

All Tracy managed was a feeble Thank you. She sat motionless in a state of shock.
Not her brother? Then who was he? And where in the world was Jeff?
Maybe he had been thrown out of the car. He could be lying in a ditch somewhere where
nobody had found his body. She stared at the telephone. She didn’t want any further
contact with Leif, but there was no one else who could help her.

Her hands were trembling so violently she barely pressed the numbers on the phone. In
spite of all her resolves, she felt a wave of relief when she heard that deep voice. Chief
Ericson here.

Leif, she breathed, It’s Tracy. I just got a call from Dr. Burrows. The man in the burn
center—the man we’ve been visiting—it’s not Jeff.

Total silence.

Tracy panicked. Had he hung up on her? Leif, are you there? Did you hear me? Jeff could be
lying in a ditch somewhere,

I heard you, Tracy. Are they sure? Leif sounded as stunned as she was.

The man’s injuries are different and the dental records don’t match. The doctor is
positive it’s not Jeff.

Then Jeff may be alive and well. Leif’s voice was jubilant.

We don’t know that. Tracy fought back a sob. If he’s alive, where is he?

She felt Leif’s excitement. I think I know. Sit tight for a few minutes while I make a
phone call. I’ll call you right back.

Tracy sat frozen in her chair, torn between joy and despair. This was all so bizarre. It
had to be a dream. She would wake up and find that she had just imagined that call from
Dr. Burrows.

Thor nudged her knee, demanding attention. Apparently she was awake. She stooped to stroke
the puppy’s head. Thor, there’s a chance that—maybe—Jeff is OK.

It seemed like an eternity until the phone rang again. She snatched up the receiver.
Tracy, Leif was almost shouting. All is well. I’m on my way. I’ll be at your house in one
minute.

She stood staring at the receiver in disbelief.
All is well. All is well?

When Leif pulled his SUV into the driveway, she was already running out the door to meet
him. Grinning broadly, he stepped out of the car and swept her into his arms. Crushing her
against his broad chest with her feet dangling a foot above the ground, the staid, stoic
chief of police danced her in circles around the front lawn.

Caught up in his exhilaration, Tracy clung to his broad shoulders. Her head spun as though
she were riding the Octopus at the Brockton Fair. She was dizzy and breathless when he set
her on her feet again, but he smothered her with a hug and a kiss that sent her senses
reeling.

Oh, Leif, she gasped when she came up for air. Jeff is alive? You know where he is?

Leif seized her hand and tugged her toward the house. Come inside and I’ll tell you the
whole story.

 
****

Leif put his arm around Tracy as they settled on the sofa. He liked the way the sagging
cushions forced her to snuggle against his side. He heaved a sigh of contentment. I guess
I need to start at the beginning. Do you remember that I told you Jeff and I became good
friends and he started going to church with me?

He felt Tracy’s nod against his chest.

Jeff tried to cut back on his drinking, but he didn’t seem to have the will power to stop.
He’d go several days without a drink and then go off on a binge again. Leif remembered his
disappointment every time Jeff fell off the wagon.

Rev. Jim and I decided to try an intervention. We dropped in on Jeff one Sunday after
church and laid it on the line. Jeff didn’t take it well. He was angry and defiant at
first, but he finally admitted he needed help. We prayed with him to accept help from the
Lord. Leif paused. He decided not to tell Tracy that her big, strong brother had broken
down in tears.

There’s an alcoholic rehabilitation center at that Christian retreat up in Chilton. Even
before we confronted Jeff, Rev. Jim made arrangements to enroll him in their three-month
program. When Jeff finally admitted that he needed help, we got him packed and on his way
before he could change his mind. Jeff drove his own car and Jim rode along with him to be
sure he got there. I followed in my car so Jim rode back with me. We stayed long enough to
make sure Jeff was admitted. That was the last time I saw him.

But where is he now? Tracy sounded bewildered.

Leif pulled her closer. He’s still there. Safe and sound.

Safe and sound! Why didn’t you tell me about this?

He had debated telling Tracy the whole story right from the start. Perhaps he had made the
wrong decision. Tracy, I’m sorry. I left Jeff at the center one day and then heard about
the accident the next. I assumed he quit the program right off the bat without giving it a
chance and he was headed for home when he went off the road. I guess I should have told
you that first day when we visited the hospital, but you were so distraught over his
condition.

Tracy looked dazed.
Could he make her understand?
I talked it over with Rev. Jim. We felt it wasn’t the right time to tell you—that it
would only make you feel worse to know that he ran away from rehab. We decided to wait
until Jeff’s condition improved. We weren’t trying to hide anything from you.

Tracy was silent. Maybe he had been too abrupt. Was she angry that he had waited so long
to tell her Jeff’s story? But she finally spoke in a breathy whisper. If Jeff is all
right, why hasn’t he called to let me know where he is?

Leif was relieved. She sounded more confused than angry. The patients aren’t allowed any
outside contact for the first six weeks. No phone calls, no visitors. It’s all part of the
program.

But who is the man in the burn center?

The $25,000 question, and Leif didn’t have the answer. I guess Jeff knows who was driving
his car, unless the guy stole it.

When can we see him? Tracy began to sound excited as though the news was finally sinking
in.

His six weeks aren’t up yet, but I got special permission for us to visit with him today.
They’ll let us have a half hour. It had taken Leif some fast talking to convince the
director that he wasn’t making up the strange story.

Today! Tracy’s eyes lighted like a child’s on Christmas morning.

Her smile always turned him to mush. We can go whenever you’re ready.

I am so ready. She bounced to her feet. Just let me put Thor in the kitchen.

Watching her hurry away, Leif felt a flood of joy. He had just blown all his plans to act
distant and indifferent. He blew them and it didn’t bother him a bit. He had been waiting
a lifetime to find the girl of his dreams. Was this the woman God had chosen for him?

 
****

 
Tracy perched on the edge of her chair in the visitors’ room, waiting for her brother to
appear. If she were a nail-biter, she would have chewed her way down to her elbows by now.
Sitting beside her, Leif pretended to be cool and calm, but he wasn’t a very good actor.
He was as excited as she was.

The building was made of logs in the style of the lodge at Yellowstone National Park. The
wicker chairs in the large room were arranged in conversational groups. She and Leif were
the only visitors, but Tracy realized they were granted a special privilege.

They had been waiting forever. She stared at her watch. Well, they had waited five
minutes.

But suddenly the door opened and Jeff appeared. Tracy’s jaw fell open. His shoulders were
back, straight and proud. Instead of hunching over crutches, he used a cane. She could
tell that he was wearing the prosthesis on his leg. She surged to her feet and rushed
across the room to throw herself into his arms.

Jeff hugged her close and then took a step back to stare at her in confusion. Tracy, it’s
really you. What are you doing here? And Leif, too? His smile was pure sunshine.

It’s a long story, pal. We have a few mysteries to solve. Leif grasped Jeff’s hand and the
two men exchanged a long look.

Jeff, you look wonderful. Tracy clung to his arm. This was the brother she knew. His deep
blue eyes were clear and sparkling and his dark hair neatly trimmed. The last time she saw
him, Jeff’s eyes were glazed and unfocused and his hair was a shaggy tangle.

Jeff planted a kiss on her cheek before they sat down together in front of the big
fieldstone fireplace. You look good to me, too, Sis, but what’s going on? I wasn’t
supposed to have visitors until next week.