Ripple of Secrets: Rose Gardner Mystery Novella #6.5 (Rose Gardner series Book 3) (9 page)

She stood as I did. “Joe, Rose feels how she feels. How
you
feel can’t change that.”

I paused and stared out the window, a familiar ache filling my chest. “I know.”

“Sometimes you have to let something go and if it’s meant to be, it will happen.”

“What do you think I’m doin’?”

She gave me a warm smile. “I think you’re doin’ the best you can. You’re hurting, but you need to figure out how to take that pain away without relying on her, because I think you were hurting long before you met Rose.” She patted my arm. “You need to figure out how to live the best possible life you can without her, and if she happens to change her mind at some point, you’ll be a much stronger man when she comes back to you. Or for the next woman who claims your heart.”

A lump filled my throat and I tilted my head as I watched her. “Why are you so nice to me? I want to steal your son’s girlfriend.”

She shook her head. “I’m nice to you because you are a good person, Joe Simmons, and I can’t stand to see you so lost. You just need to find your way.”

A good person? I definitely didn’t think it was true, but Rose had always told me I was. Now Maeve was telling me the same thing. Could there be some truth to it after all? “Find my way… Without Rose, I’m not even sure where to go.”

“I’m not so sure about that. You like your work in the sheriff’s department. And you’re moving out to that farmhouse so you can restore it. You’re
already
on the right path. Fill your life with things you love and love will find you, whether it’s with Rose or someone else.”

But I couldn’t imagine a life without Rose, and I wasn’t ready to consider loving anyone else. Maybe I’d never be.

“You just need to take it one day at a time.”

“Of course you’re telling me to move on without her,” I said stubbornly. “You don’t want her to leave Mason.”

“Joe.” Her tone hardened as her gaze penetrated mine. “If Rose loves
you
, then I would rather that she rip out Mason’s heart than marry him. I’ve seen too many loveless marriages make everyone involved miserable, which is exactly why I said you shouldn’t marry Hilary.” She paused and her voice softened. “I confess that I
do
hope Mason and Rose get married someday. Considering the short time I’ve known her, I love Rose more than I ever would have expected. But I only want that if they truly love each other.”

“I have to go.” I started to walk past her, but she grabbed my arm and held tight.

“I’ve overstepped my bounds and I’m so sorry, but I can’t stand to see the pain in your eyes, Joe. I want you to be happy.”

“Even after I killed your daughter.” The words came out before I could think on them. But the statement had been threatening to burst out of me for some time now.

Her hold tightened. “You know I don’t for one minute believe that, so we won’t have that particular conversation, but
you
obviously still need to find a way to let
that
go too.”

She was right, but I wasn’t sure how.

She looked up into my eyes and smiled softly. “I hope you come back and see me again. I would really miss your visits if you were to stay away.” Her grin turned mischievous and she winked. “I promise to keep my conversation to the weather and the local bingo hall gossip.”

I looked down at the floor and grinned. “As chief deputy sheriff, that bingo gossip could come in handy.”

“Good. It’s settled. You’ll come back for a visit.” She wrapped her arms around my back and gave me a squeeze.

I squeezed her back, then picked up my toolbox. “You still won’t tell—”

“
No one
knows you come visit me, but not because I’m ashamed of our friendship. I understand why you feel the way you do, so I respect your decision.”

“Thank you.” Maybe I was stupid to believe her. She could feed Mason everything I told her, but I couldn’t believe the kind woman in front of me was capable of it. “I need to get goin’.”

“It’s going to be cold and wet today. You keep bundled up.”

I grinned. She reminded me so much of Roberta it made my heart ache. “Will do. Let me know if something else comes up with the house before I show up for my next visit.”

I was surprised to see the tears glistening in her eyes as she smiled at me. “I will. And I look forward to it.”

I left her warm house for the cold rain that was now falling. I’d barely made it out of her neighborhood when my phone rang. I wasn’t surprised to see it was the sheriff’s department.

“I’m on my way in now,” I said as I answered.

“That’s good, sir,” the front desk receptionist said. “Because there’s a woman who insists that she see you.”

“Who is it?”

“She won’t say, but she says she’s not leaving until she’s said her piece.”

I wasn’t in the mood to deal with disgruntled county citizens. “Isn’t the sheriff in yet? Hand her off to him.”

“She insists on
you
.”

“Great,” I grumbled, wondering whom I’d pissed off this time and why. “I should be there in fifteen minutes. But since I have you, can you patch me through to Deputy Miller”

“Sure.”

Moments later, Deputy Miller answered.

“Miller, I have a special job for you, but I want you to keep it between us.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I think Mason Deveraux is still in danger, but I’d prefer not to make it widespread knowledge in the department. I’d like for you to keep tabs on him periodically throughout the day. If you discover anything suspicious, you answer directly to me.”

“Do you have any idea who has it out for him?”

“No. I’m hoping you’ll be able find something for me.”

“I’ll do my best, sir.”

I knew he would. He was probably one of the most dependable men on the force. I still needed to tell Mason, so I pulled into a parking lot and sent him a quick text.

I’m not certain the threat to your safety is eliminated. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, let me know. I’ve got Miller monitoring you so don’t be surprised if you see him in the background.

I wondered if I should tell him more, but other than knowing my father was involved, there wasn’t anything else to tell. Mason knowing about my father wouldn’t keep him any safer.

The streets of Henryetta were emptier than usual, most likely because the citizens were worried about icy roads, so I made it to the sheriff’s office quickly. When I entered the lobby, I wasn’t prepared to see the woman sitting across the room from me, grinning at me like she was up to nothing but trouble.

My sister Kate.

Joe

“Hello, big brother,” she said, getting to her feet and adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder. She wore jeans covered with holes, a flannel shirt and a tan jacket.

“I’m surprised to see you here.” It was an understatement.

“After your meeting with dear old Dad, you ran out of the house like a man on fire. We didn’t get a chance to have our little chat.”

I shifted my weight. “You never thought to pick up your phone and call me? You could have easily gotten the number from Mom.”

“Nah, I prefer a face-to-face meeting.”

I glanced toward the door leading to the back offices. I knew I didn’t have anything pressing waiting on me and I was still a bit early for my shift. I could take Kate back to my office, but I preferred to keep the Simmons family chaos as far from my work life as possible. “Judy,” I said to the receptionist behind the glass partition. “I’m going out for a bit. Call me if you need me.”

She barely glanced up. “Will do.”

“Have you had breakfast?” I asked my sister, gesturing to the door.

Kate followed me out to the parking lot. “No. Are you going to take me to some quaint Podunk restaurant?”

I stopped and turned to face her, my back muscles tight. “I live in this town and county. If you are bringing our parents’ small-minded attitude with you, just get back in your car and drive back to wherever it is you came from. Because I’m not putting up with it.”

She held up her hands in defense, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Down, boy. I didn’t mean it like it sounded. Sometimes the snark slips out unchecked.”

I gave her a brisk nod. “Okay.”

“But I really do want to eat at a small-town restaurant with down-home cooking. Like Roberta used to make.”

I watched her for a second. She hadn’t mentioned Roberta since she left when we were teens. What was she up to? “We can go to Merilee’s in the town square. They make great pancakes and waffles.”

“Sounds great to me.”

I gestured to my sheriff’s cruiser behind me. “I’m technically on duty, so we better take separate cars.”

“Don’t want your sister sitting in a police car, tarnishing the Simmons name?” she sneered.

“No, there’s a chance I’ll get called in. If that happens, I don’t want to leave you stranded.”

“Oh.”

I pushed out a heavy breath. “Look, I appreciate that you drove out here, but maybe you should just go.” I wanted to talk to her, but I didn’t like her here on my turf. The truth was, I didn’t trust her. Until I knew she wasn’t up to trouble, I wanted her as far away from my new life as possible. I’d just arrange to talk to her on more neutral territory.

Her cockiness slipped away and she gave me a genuine smile. “No. I really do want to see you. Sorry. Old habits are too easy to fall back into.”

Hilary came to mind. “Tell me about it.”

She cocked her head and winked. “I promise to be on my best behavior, and if I do misbehave, you can put me in jail.”

I shook my head and grinned. “That seems like an excessive punishment.”

“Then come up with your own. I really want blueberry pancakes. Tell me this Merry’s place makes blueberry pancakes.”

I laughed. “Merilee’s makes fantastic blueberry pancakes…not at good as mine, but pretty doggone good anyway.”

“Nobody likes a braggart.” But I noticed she didn’t correct me. She’d tasted my pancakes when we were teenagers.

“Just follow me.”

“Yes, sir,” she said with a salute.

I sighed. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.” And as I drove to the Henryetta town square, I already did. My life in Fenton County was my Joe McAllister world. Hilary had already botched that by renting a house close to the courthouse, but now my sister was here too. I might have felt better about the whole thing if I knew what she was after, but she was a total wild card. We hadn’t gotten along for years, and her entire mission in life had always been to aggravate our parents and Hilary. Given everything she’d said the day before, I wondered if she was here to stoke my rebellion as another act of defiance.

I pulled into a parking space on the square, casting a quick glance at the RBW Landscaping office across the street. Rose’s truck was parked in front of it and I felt a pull to go see her. But Kate had already gotten out of her small car and was walking toward me. She looked over her shoulder to see what had captured my attention, and the last thing I wanted to do was have
that
conversation with her.

“Let’s see how good your Merilee’s actually is.” She looped her arm through mine and we walked into the warm restaurant together. The hostess seated us by the window, which seemed to delight Kate, if the grin on her face was any indication. We slipped off our coats as the waitress walked over.

“Good morning, Chief Deputy Simmons,” she said with a warm smile. “What can I get for you and…” She glanced over at Kate.

I had no intention of filling in the blank. The less this town knew about my family, the better. And once word got out that my sister had been here for a visit, it would be a subject for all the gossips. But Kate had other ideas.

She glanced up at the waitress, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Kate. I’m just dropping by to check up on my big brother.”

The waitress looked relieved. “How nice to meet you, Ms. Simmons.”

“Just Kate. And I would love a cup of coffee,
Bonnie
.” She read off the poor girl’s nametag, then turned to me. “Joe?”

Bonnie glanced down at me. “Deputy Simmons, do you want your usual coffee and juice?”

“Yeah, that would be great, Bonnie.” She nodded and smiled before walking away.

“You have a usual,” Kate said, lifting an eyebrow. “So you’re a regular here?”

“It’s a small town and I spend a lot of time at the courthouse. Not to mention the food is good.”

She held up her hands and leaned back in her chair. “No need to get so defensive. I was just asking.”

Bringing her here had been a huge mistake. “What are you doing in Henryetta, anyway, Kate?” I asked, sounding tired.

“I’m hoping to eat blueberry pancakes if Bonnie ever comes back with my coffee and your
usual
.”

“You can get blueberry pancakes anywhere. Why are you here harassing me?”

Her smile fell. “Is that how you see this? Me harassing you?”

I placed my forearms on the table and leaned toward her, lowering my voice. “Look, you left two years ago after making my life hell and letting me know you were done with me and the rest of our family, so you can’t be surprised if I’m a bit suspicious.”