CHAPTER 8
SAVANNAH LOVED VISITING DOVIE’S ANTIQUE SHOP with its storehouse of treasures from earlier times. This particular visit was special for another reason—she planned to tell Dovie about the baby. Since Dr. Dickinson had confirmed her pregnancy, the knowledge that her child, Laredo’s child, was growing inside her occupied more and more of her thoughts.
Dovie Boyd glanced up from behind the glass counter that displayed some of the shop’s pricier antique china and jewelry.
“Savannah, my dear.” Dovie’s greeting held her usual graciousness and warmth. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s always a pleasure, Dovie.” Savannah noticed that her friend was pale this morning. Come to think of it, she’d seemed tired and listless for a while now. Savannah assumed that had something to do with her separation from Frank Hennessey, although Dovie had never discussed it.
“Can I help you find something?” Dovie asked, stepping around the glass counter.
“I’m looking for something special,” Savannah said, placing her hand on her abdomen, “for our baby’s nursery.” She waited for Dovie’s reaction.
“I don’t have much in the way of—” Dovie stopped midsentence and stared at Savannah, her eyes brightening. “So that’s what’s different.”
“You noticed already?” Savannah was only about two months along. It didn’t seem possible that anyone would be able to detect the pregnancy this soon.
“In your eyes,” Dovie explained. “You’re fairly glowing with happiness.” She smiled. “I know it’s a cliché—that pregnant women have a glow about them—but like most clichés it has a basis in truth.”
Some days it was all Savannah could do not to burst into tears when she thought about all the wonderful changes that had taken place in her life this past year. The afternoon she’d found the ghost town and dug up the White Lady Banks roses in the church cemetery had forever changed her life. It was on the return drive that she’d seen Laredo Smith walking along the side of the road. To this day she didn’t know what had possessed her to stop and offer him a ride. She’d never done anything like that before or since. Within a few months she’d become Laredo’s wife and now they were expecting a child.
“I am happy,” Savannah said.
“You’re radiant.” They hugged, and as the older woman pulled away, Savannah noticed again how drawn Dovie looked.
“You haven’t been ill, have you, Dovie?” she asked, deciding she should ask, just to be sure.
“No. I just haven’t been sleeping well.” She managed a smile and continued, “I have some news, too.”
Savannah had already heard that Mary Patterson had talked Dovie into a cruise; she was delighted. Dovie could use a vacation, however short, and her absence might clarify a thing or two in Frank’s mind. Dovie was a remarkable woman, and if Frank Hennessey didn’t realize it, then the sheriff was more of a fool than she’d thought. But she knew Frank almost as well as she did Dovie and suspected that the problem, whatever it was, would soon be resolved.
“I’ve decided to sell the house.” Dovie’s announcement was inflated with forced enthusiasm. “I’m going to be moving.”
“Moving,” Savannah repeated, trying to conceal her shock.
“I talked to a real estate agent this morning and I’ll be listing the house this afternoon. I’m…not sure just yet what I’ll do about the business.”
Speechless, Savannah needed time to recover.
“I know this comes as a surprise,” Dovie said.
“Where will you go?” Savannah asked, when in reality her question should have been why Dovie would go. Why she’d consider leaving Promise. This was her home. She was an essential part of this community, loved by everyone here. Her shop was the very heart of the town, a mingling of past and present, a constant reminder of the heritage that made Promise special to those who lived there.
“I’ve decided to do some traveling,” Dovie said, again with an eagerness that rang false. “I’m going to explore the world.”
“The world…”
“The United States, at any rate. I understand that Charleston’s lovely, and I’ve never seen New York. I’ve never seen the Rockies…” Her voice tapered off.
This was more than Savannah could take in. She felt the sudden need to sit down. “I realize it’s a bit early for tea, but perhaps you wouldn’t mind putting on a pot?”
“Of course.”
While Dovie fussed with the tea, Savannah contemplated what she should say. She thought about her own relationship with Laredo, remembering how she’d felt when he returned to Oklahoma and she didn’t believe she’d see him again. She’d made changes in her life, too, needing to do something to combat the terrible pain of his leaving. The changes hadn’t been drastic, although Grady and a few others had behaved as though they no longer knew her. Cutting her hair was a small thing. Dovie planned on packing up her fifty-seven years of life and leaving everything that was familiar.
Savannah noticed that her friend’s hand trembled as she poured the tea.
“Why would you leave here?” Savannah asked gently. “I’d like to know the real reason you’d consider moving away from Promise.”
Dovie lowered her eyes and folded her hands in her lap. She didn’t say anything for several tense moments. “Frank’s dating Tammy Lee now and I can’t bear—”
“Frank and Tammy Lee?” Savannah interrupted. She could hardly believe her ears. What man in his right mind would prefer that…that trashy Tammy Lee over Dovie?
“If it isn’t Tammy Lee, it’ll soon be someone else and…I can’t abide seeing him fall in love with someone else.” Dovie pulled a limp lace-bordered handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed her eyes.
Savannah leaned forward, hugging the woman who’d been both friend and substitute mother to her. She sympathized with the pain Dovie felt and wished there was something she could say or do that would ease her broken heart.
“Obviously I gave Frank more credit for intelligence than he deserves,” Savannah snapped. The next time she saw him, she’d give him a tongue-lashing he wouldn’t soon forget.
Dovie quickly composed herself, clearly embarrassed by her show of emotion. “It isn’t such a bad thing, my leaving Promise,” she said on a more cheerful note. “I’m actually looking forward to traveling. Eventually, I’m sure I’ll find someplace in Montana or Colorado that reminds me of Promise. I’ll settle right in and make a new life for myself.” Her enthusiasm appeared more genuine this time. Savannah hated the thought of losing Dovie, especially for a reason as stupid as Frank Hennessey’s stubborn pride.
She was about to say something else when an antique doll caught her eye. Faded and tattered, it sat on the edge of a dresser. Dovie’s gaze followed hers.
“Do you recognize the doll?” Dovie asked. “Jane Dickinson brought it in and asked me about it. Apparently someone brought it into her office and asked her to find the owner. It’s quite old and rather fragile. Have you ever seen it before?”
Savannah walked over to look at the antique doll. She picked it up and carefully examined its faded embroidered face. The button eyes seemed to stare back at her. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Me, neither.” Dovie shook her head.
“But…it looks like something that might have come from Bitter End.”
“Bitter End. That’s what I thought,” Dovie said excitedly.
“But how would anyone have gotten hold of it?” Savannah asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Dovie frowned. “Apparently whoever gave the doll to Jane—she couldn’t tell me who—did so because he or she felt guilty about taking it.”
“Why would anyone give it to…” Savannah paused.
“I suspect it was a child,” Dovie said thoughtfully.
“I was thinking that very thing,” Savannah murmured.
“It’s highly unlikely that any child’s been to Bitter End, though,” Dovie pointed out. “Other than a handful of people, who even knows about the town?”
All at once everything fell into place. “Richard knows about Bitter End,” Savannah said intently. “And he kidnapped Maggie for several hours, remember? What if he took her to Bitter End? He could’ve either given the doll to Maggie in an attempt to buy her silence or else Maggie took it without him knowing.”
“Someone needs to ask Maggie about this,” Dovie said.
Her thoughts were a reflection of Savannah’s own. Maggie had refused to talk about the time she’d been missing, despite numerous efforts by a number of people, herself included. Even knowing what she did about her brother, Savannah couldn’t believe Richard would intentionally take the child. Everyone had been terribly worried—no one more than Savannah, whose fears had been compounded by guilt. The child had been in her care when she disappeared, and Savannah had blamed herself.
Then early the next morning Maggie had come running down the driveway. For the rest of her life, Savannah would remember the way Grady had raced toward the child. At that moment she’d realized how much her brother had come to love Maggie. He might not have fathered her, but he’d always be a real father to the little girl. She’d long had her suspicions about Maggie’s biological father, but had kept those to herself.
“Perhaps Grady should be the one to ask Maggie about the doll,” Savannah said. The little girl had refused to discuss where she’d been or who’d taken her, but she trusted Grady now and seemed willing to confide in him. Since she hadn’t been physically harmed, Frank had felt they should count their blessings and leave it. He doubted Maggie would be able to help them locate Richard, anyway. However, that was before they knew about the doll.
“Someone should bring Frank into this, too,” Dovie said. “I understand there’s a warrant out for Richard’s arrest…” Her voice faltered and she looked away. Whether her reaction was because of Frank or Richard, Savannah couldn’t say.
“I’ll have Grady call him.”
For the next couple of hours Savannah was involved in talking to people. She’d contacted Jane Dickinson’s office and learned that it was her day off. Apparently she’d gone somewhere with Cal Patterson.
Caroline agreed Grady would be the right person to discuss the matter of the doll with Maggie. Sheriff Hennessey was brought in, as well, and suggested they talk to her at the ranch house.
Savannah returned to the ranch, baked bread and mulled over what she’d learned from Dovie. She was also worried about Richard. She knew he had a rifle, but didn’t like to think that her brother would intentionally hurt anyone. After these past few months, though, she couldn’t predict what he might do.
When Caroline and Maggie arrived late in the afternoon, they all gathered in the living room, together with Frank Hennessey. Maggie stayed close to her mother, glancing nervously about the room. Grady held his arms open and Savannah was gratified to see the child willingly sit next to him.
Grady opened the bag Dovie had given Savannah and withdrew the old tattered doll. “Do you recognize this?” he asked Maggie.
The little girl took one look at it and covered her face with both hands. Her shoulders started to shake. “I’m sorry I stole her! I’m sorry!”
“But the doll said she was glad.” Grady spoke with such gentle concern that Savannah wanted to kiss him. “She told me how grateful she was that she had someone to love her.”
Maggie lowered her hands and gazed at him with searching eyes. “She told you that?”
Grady nodded gravely. “She came from the ghost town, didn’t she?”
Maggie’s hands flew back to her face. “I’m not supposed to tell!”
“It’s all right, Maggie,” Grady continued. “You won’t be punished.”
“But Richard said Mommy would die if I told anyone. He said I’d never see her again and that she’d bleed real bad.”
Frank muttered a curse under his breath, and while Savannah wouldn’t have used that precise language, she was in full agreement. That her brother would knowingly frighten the child in this manner was inexcusable. His one redeeming act had been to bring Maggie back. He’d stolen another truck shortly thereafter, but at least Maggie had been safely returned.
“Sometimes people say things that aren’t true.” Grady placed his arm around the child’s shoulders, both shielding her and comforting her at once.
Maggie kept her head lowered as though she felt undecided about what to do.
“Is Richard at the ghost town?” Caroline asked softly.
“Will you die if I tell?” Maggie asked her mother.
“No, sweetheart, I won’t die.” Caroline linked her fingers with Grady’s. “I’m going to marry Grady very soon and we’ll all be very happy.”
“Will you have other babies so I can be a big sister?”
Savannah watched as Caroline met Grady’s eyes, then nodded. “Yes, sweetheart, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be a big sister.”
“Can I really keep the doll?” Maggie asked next.
Grady raised the rag doll to his ear, his expression somber. Maggie watched his every move. Slowly, a bit at a time, Grady’s mouth formed a smile. “She says she needs someone to love her and take care of her and be kind to her.”
“I can do that,” Maggie said with a questioning glance at her mother.
“She needs lots of tender loving care,” Caroline added. “She’s fragile and old.”
“I’ll take good care of her,” Maggie promised. “I’ll call her…Isabelle.”
Grady handed her the doll, and Maggie pressed Isabelle against her shoulder and gently patted her back.
“I’m sorry Richard lied to you,” Savannah felt obliged to say.
“I don’t like Richard anymore,” Maggie said.
“You don’t need to worry about seeing him again,” Frank Hennessey assured her. “Once I get my hands on him, he won’t see the light of day for one hell of a long time.”
* * *
“IN HERE.” Cal’s heart pounded as he peered into the hotel. The staircase had collapsed and he was able to make out a figure trapped beneath the boards. Richard Weston, he was sure.
Jane was a few steps behind Cal. They cautiously entered the hotel and began to approach the ruined stairs.
“Stand back,” Cal ordered, looking up to make sure nothing else threatened to fall. As soon as he’d assured himself it was safe, he started to remove the boards.
It was indeed Richard, and his groans grew louder, more plaintive. He was in obvious pain and close to unconsciousness.
Jane checked his vital signs. “There’s no telling how long he’s been here.”
“Two days,” Richard whispered, his voice weak. “Am I going to die?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” she said firmly.
Cal understood that to Jane, medicine was a passion the same way ranching was to him, and he respected her for it. Loved her for it. He loved her courage and her sense of humor, too, her honesty, her kindness. Why that realization should come to him at a time like this, he didn’t know. He’d intended never to make himself vulnerable again after Jennifer had humiliated him in front of the entire town. But he loved Jane. He felt no doubt, not about her or his feelings.
He continued to lift the heavy pieces of wood that trapped the injured man. The way in which Richard’s leg was twisted told him it was badly broken.
Richard was moaning for water. Jane carefully lifted his head and dribbled liquid between his parched lips.
“Don’t let me die,” Richard pleaded between swallows. “Tell my mother I’m not ready.”
Jane raised her gaze to Cal’s.
“His mother died more than six years ago,” he told her.
“He’s hallucinating,” she explained. “We need to get him out of here. The sooner the better.”
“How?” The truck was parked some distance away, and Cal was aware it would be nearly impossible to move him.
“He’s lost consciousness,” Jane said.
“His right leg’s broken.”
“I suspect internal injuries, as well.”
“How are we going to transport him?” Cal asked, seeking her advice. His biggest fear was that moving Richard, especially in his frail condition, might kill him. Cal didn’t need Richard Weston’s death on his conscience.
“We have to get help,” Jane said, and while her voice was calm, he sensed the urgency in her words. “Leave me here and go back to town. Have Sheriff Hennessey call for a medevac. His injuries are far too extensive for me to handle. He’s going to have to be airlifted out of here.”
“You’ll be all right alone?” he asked, getting to his feet.
She nodded, then looked up at him. “Hurry,” she said. “I don’t think he’ll last much longer.”
Cal sprinted out of the hotel, running through the brush and up the hill as fast as he could force his legs to move. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Jane in Bitter End, but he didn’t have a choice.
By the time he reached the pickup, he was panting and breathless. Sweat poured off his brow as he leaped into the cab and fired the engine to life.
He drove to the highway at a speed far too great for the terrain, and the truck’s jolting threw him repeatedly and painfully against the door. Bruises, however, were a small price to pay for saving a man’s life.
No sooner had he reached the highway than two patrol cars came into view, their lights flashing. Cal pressed his hand on the horn and slammed on the brakes. He screeched to a stop, swerving partway into the other lane.
Frank Hennessey was out of his patrol car in seconds. “This damn well better be good,” he yelled.
“Richard Weston,” Cal said, hopping out of the pickup. “At Bitter End. He’s injured badly.”
To Cal’s surprise Savannah and Grady got out of the patrol car, as well.
“So he’s holed up in Bitter End?” The question came from Grady.
“Yes. Jane and I were there. We found him. Apparently he was on the stairway in the hotel when it collapsed. He’s in bad shape—broken leg, internal injuries.”
“Oh, no!” Savannah covered her mouth.
“We shouldn’t try to move him. We’ll need to arrange for a chopper—he’s got to be airlifted out.”
Frank was already reaching for his radio, barking out orders.
Cal felt Savannah studying him. All he could say was, “Jane’s there. She knows what to do.”
He wanted to reassure Savannah that everything would be fine, but he couldn’t. He had no way of knowing what had happened since he left the town. From what he’d seen of Richard, and from what Jane had said, it didn’t look promising. Cal knew that despite the things her brother had done, Savannah still loved him.
“How is he really?” Grady asked him privately.
“Not good.” No point hiding the truth from Grady. They’d been friends since childhood, and Grady counted on him for the truth. “I don’t know if he’s going to make it, so prepare yourself for the worst.”
Grady nodded and moved away. “Maybe it’d be best if we called in Wade McMillen,” he said, wiping one hand down his face. “If there’s time…”
Grady wanted to give his brother the chance to make his peace with God. Cal had his doubts. Richard had always been unrepentant. Worse, he was unconscious, possibly dying, and nothing short of a miracle would save him now.
Cal suspected that the following hours would repeat themselves in his mind for years to come. Because of the fresh tire tracks left in the soft ground, Cal was able to lead Sheriff Hennessey, Grady and Savannah to Bitter End. The second patrol car returned to Promise for Wade McMillen. If Richard wasn’t in need of the pastor’s comfort, then Savannah and Grady would be.
Cal’s biggest concern wasn’t for Richard. Instead, his thoughts were on Jane. He’d hated like hell to leave her, knowing how uneasy she’d felt in the ghost town. Damn Richard Weston. If he died, leaving Jane alone with a dead man in the middle of that empty town, he’d never forgive the bastard.
As it turned out, Richard was still clinging to life when they reached Bitter End. Grady and Savannah immediately besieged Jane with questions about their brother.
Cal stepped out of the way and watched as Jane skillfully reassured them. She’d been busy while he was away, Cal noticed. Even without medical equipment, Jane had worked to save Richard Weston’s life. She’d created a makeshift splint for his leg and managed to shift him onto his side. She’d monitored his pulse and his breathing.
Frank put out a red flare for the helicopter, and it seemed no time at all before he heard the distinctive sound of the blades.
With Jane’s help, the medics loaded Richard onto a stretcher and hooked him up to an emergency oxygen supply. Cal and Frank cleared a path, then Richard was carried to the helicopter.
His injuries were determined to be too extensive for the hospital in Brewster, and he was transported to Austin, instead. If he lasted that long, Cal thought grimly. It would be touch and go.
Because of the limited space aboard the helicopter, Jane wouldn’t be traveling with them.
They all stood back as the chopper rose, carrying Richard Weston away. Cal placed his arm around Jane’s shoulders and felt her trembling.
“Whatever happens is out of my hands now,” she whispered.
Cal pressed his chin against the top of her head. “You did everything you could.”
“I know.” She glanced up and down the streets of Bitter End. “I don’t want to come back here,” she said with vehemence. “Ever!”
Cal couldn’t agree with her more.
* * *
IT WAS A DAY Frank Hennessey would long remember. Richard Weston, if he lived, faced twenty years behind bars without the possibility of parole. Richard deserved that prison sentence, but Frank felt badly for Grady and Savannah.
Wade McMillen had counseled both of them. Frank never had been one to attend church, but he liked and respected Reverend McMillen. As long as Wade didn’t preach at him, then Frank wouldn’t quote the law at him, either. In a situation like this, he figured, the reverend provided a service nobody else could. Including the sheriff.
Frank was with the brother and sister when the phone rang about eight that night. Grady leaped on it, and after the initial greeting, glanced across the room where Savannah sat with Laredo.
He nodded and murmured a handful of thank-yous before replacing the receiver. “That was the hospital in Austin,” Grady announced. His words had everyone’s attention.
“He’s going to make it,” Grady said, and his voice cracked. When Caroline put her arm around him, Grady clung to her tightly.
Savannah burst into tears and hugged her husband.
Frank didn’t want to be the one to remind them that once Richard had recovered, he’d be placed in a maximum-security prison. If Frank hadn’t disliked the man already, what Richard had said to Maggie to prevent her telling anyone where she’d been would have done it.
Since the deputy who’d driven Wade McMillen out to the Yellow Rose had already left, Frank drove the reverend back to town.
They chatted amicably, sharing insights and theories about the youngest Weston’s personality. Frank dropped Wade off, then, on impulse, drove past Dovie’s house.
He wasn’t sure what he intended to do. Probably nothing. A few weeks ago he would’ve been spending this night with her. She would probably have waited up for him, brewing a pot of coffee in case he wanted to talk, which he almost always did. He missed those times with Dovie.
Despite everything, he missed her more rather than less with each day that passed. As he’d expected, her lights were out. She might be asleep—or on that cruise she’d mentioned. He’d forgotten the exact date she was supposed to go—although Louise Powell and Tammy Lee could no doubt have told him.
With a heavy heart he turned the corner, and that was when he saw the Realtor’s sign. His heart felt as if it’d taken a ten-story tumble. She hadn’t been bluffing when she said she’d leave Promise. He stared at the sign, shaken and hurt, trying to imagine Promise without Dovie.
Two days later Frank sat in the café at the bowling alley drinking a mug of coffee. His dour mood had kept his friends at bay. Anyone looking for idle conversation sought out someone else.
He noticed with something of a shock that Wade McMillen had slipped into the seat across from him.
Frank scowled. “I don’t remember asking for company.”
“You didn’t, but I decided to join you, anyway.” Wade raised his hand to attract the waitress’s attention. Neither spoke again until she’d brought his coffee.
“Look, if you’re interested in scintillating conversation, I’d be happy to steer you elsewhere. I’m not in the mood.”
“So I noticed, Sheriff. Something on your mind?”
He had to give the preacher credit for guts. “As it happens, there is.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not particularly.”
Wade studied him. “I don’t suppose this has something to do with Dovie Boyd.”
“Why? Did she come and cry on your shoulder?” Frank muttered angrily.
“Nope. Dovie didn’t say a word.”
“Then how’d you know?”
Wade smiled, and it was the knowing grin of an observant man. “You might say you told me, Frank.”
“Me?”
“You’ve been down in the mouth for weeks. The way I figure it, you can trust me enough to help or you can sit in the café and stare at the wall.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yup.”
Wade certainly didn’t pull his punches, Frank thought. “It’s not going to do any good to discuss it. My mind’s made up. Besides, I already know what you’re going to say.”
“Do you, now.” The knowing smile was back in place.
If Frank hadn’t liked the other man so much, he might have been irritated. “You’re a preacher.”
“Yes, but I’m also a man,” Wade told him.
Frank sighed deeply. “Dovie wants me to marry her.”
“And you don’t love her?”
“Wrong,” he snapped. “I love her so damn much I can hardly think straight anymore. We had a good thing, the two of us. I spent the night with her a couple times a week, and we had one of the best damn relationships I’ve ever had. I always had this sort of vague thought that one day we’d get married—and then I realized I couldn’t. I just could not go through with it,” he said slowly, shaking his head. “As soon as I told her the truth, it was over. Just like that. Hell, if I’d lied to her, she’d never have known the difference. A lot of good being honest did me.” He suspected his words had shocked the minister, and that was exactly what he wanted. To Frank’s surprise Wade didn’t so much as blink.
“You love her, but you don’t want to marry her.”
“Yes,” Frank said more loudly than he intended.
“Any reason?”
“I’ve got a long list,” Frank muttered.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Wade said.
Frank wished he would. Wade McMillen wasn’t going to tell him anything he didn’t already know. He wasn’t going to offer a quick solution to a complex problem. If anything, he’d make Frank feel even guiltier for not marrying Dovie.
“You enjoy your freedom,” Wade said. “A man who’s been a bachelor all these years is set in his ways.”
“Exactly.” Frank was impressed at Wade’s understanding. “I happen to like the way I live, and much as I love Dovie, I don’t want a woman messing with how I do things.”
“I’m a bachelor myself,” Wade reminded him.
“If I want to belch after dinner, I don’t need to worry about offending a woman. I can hang around the house in my underwear if I feel like it. I can pile up all my papers and magazines and read them all at once without hearing about the mess.”
“I know what you mean.”
“If my dirty clothes litter the floor for a couple days, I won’t have someone picking them up for me and then complaining about it.”
“That’s what I’m like, too,” Wade said, “but it does get lonely every now and then.”
“Damn lonely,” Frank agreed. And nothing helped. The dinner date with Tammy Lee had been a disaster, one that wouldn’t be repeated. The only woman he wanted was Dovie.
“I’m going to lose her, Wade,” he said, staring into his coffee. “She’s put her house up for sale.”
“So I understand.”
“There’s no solution. Either I change who I am or I let her walk out of my life.”
“And both of those prospects are making you unhappy. It’s eating you up inside.”
“I might as well be drinking acid,” Frank confessed. The knot in his stomach had become permanent. Even when he went to bed at night, he couldn’t make himself relax. He used to fall asleep the instant his head hit the pillow. No longer. His mind constantly churned with the two miserable alternatives—marriage or no Dovie.
“There’s no solution,” he muttered again.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Wade countered. “Sometimes people are so caught up in the problem the obvious answer escapes them.”
Frank raised his gaze to meet Wade’s.
“There’s a reason I came to talk to you,” Wade continued. “I’ve got an idea,” he said, steepling his fingers in front of him. “One that’ll give you both what you’re looking for.”