“During which you convinced Tori not to read my mom’s books again. Instead she asks Nana to help her find online sites that teach her about training a puppy. I’d like to bring the kids and my mom here for a picnic. I want you to meet my mother. You’ll love her, guaranteed. She’s an awesome lady, and I know she’s going to think the world of you.” He tightened his arm around her. “I don’t expect you to be a mother to my kids. I’ll never ask you to give up your profession to be with me. My mom will continue to help out with my children. I talked with her, and she not only agreed but insisted on it. So it’s not as if you’d be stepping in as a mother figure. My kids like you. All you’d need to do is be their friend.”
Since meeting Tanner, Crystal had often wondered what it might be like to get married and have a family. Now she allowed herself to actually envision it. The kids sometimes coming to her salon after school when Libby had an afternoon off. Her taking one or both of them to buy shoes or go clothes shopping. Taking them home to cook Michael’s favorite dinner, spaghetti and meatballs, or Tori’s beef ravioli. Not being expected to be an actual mother figure suited her perfectly. She could be a fabulous friend to Tanner’s kids.
Just then No Name jumped up on the bed and came to snuggle on the pillow above their heads. He turned his purr to full volume and began kneading her hair as if it were bread dough. Outside Rip was probably lying on the porch, fretting because he’d heard her cry out. Two months ago, she couldn’t have imagined herself having a dog and a cat or, even more amazing, allowing herself to love them. And so far, nothing horrible had happened.
Was she truly jinxed when it came to loving things, as she’d come to believe after her sister’s death? Could she have and love a ready-made family without raining misfortune upon their heads? Though she and Tuck rarely spoke of Mary Ann’s death, her grandfather swore to this day that Crystal hadn’t been responsible. Maybe Tuck was right and it was time for Crystal to stop blaming herself for all the tragic things that had happened.
* * *
Tanner could see that Crystal was unsettled by his suggestion that they become a couple, and he didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if he was asking her to marry him, although with his feelings for her running so strong, he couldn’t discount that possibility in the future.
“Can you honestly say you don’t feel that something truly special has developed between us?” When he saw the corners of her mouth tip up in a smile, he added, “I never expected to meet anyone who’d make me want to get married again.” He felt her stiffen, and continued. “But from the first instant I saw you outside that store, I was wildly attracted to you. Haven’t you ever wondered if our relationship is meant to be? Just think about it. We might never have seen each other again. I lived and worked in Crystal Falls, and your world was here. But I met Tuck and we became good friends. Then Tuck was relocated. You filed a complaint against me, and now, as punishment, my route covers Mystic Creek. We’re developing a serious relationship. Don’t you see a guiding hand in all this?”
Leaning her head back, she gazed up at him. In the deepening dusk outside the bedroom windows, her eyes looked as green as clover leaves and luminous with wonder. “I’m amazed that we ever ran into each other again. When I met you, I felt entranced. I wanted to ask for your number, but I didn’t have the guts.”
“I didn’t expect us to meet again, either. When I became friends with Tuck, I learned that he had a granddaughter, but you were just a faceless someone who didn’t factor into my relationship with him.”
“Until I filed the complaint.” She sighed and fell quiet for a moment. “I see what you mean, Tanner. Maybe there was a guiding hand, moving us step-by-step toward each other. It boggles my mind that God may have used Patricia as a tool to help orchestrate his plan.”
Tanner laughed. “God sometimes works in strange ways.” He pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead. “Let’s not blow it, then. Please agree to a picnic so you can meet my mom.”
Crystal nodded. “Let’s do it.”
* * *
After making love with Tanner a second time, Crystal convinced him to go home. With McVoyer behind bars, Crystal no longer felt uneasy about staying alone at night. She and Tanner had enjoyed the best part of the evening together, and it made no sense for him to clutter up his schedule tomorrow by sleeping at her place.
They kissed each other goodbye on the front porch. Then, shivering in the lightweight kimono, Crystal hugged her waist and watched until his taillights were swallowed by country darkness.
Pensive, she went back into the house to write Tanner a note. Using her cell phone as a flashlight, she went out to the oak and placed the piece of paper just behind the bag of dog treats where Tanner would see it. Then she bribed her way past Rip to reenter the yard and go up the steps to gaze out at the moon-silvered darkness again. She didn’t know when Tanner would find her message, but if it took a few days, she’d be fine with that. Choosing to write it had been a huge decision for her, and it would be good if she had some time to let it simmer in her mind and let herself grow relaxed about having done it.
She glanced down at the heeler sitting beside her.
“Well, Rip, shall we go to bed?”
The dog barked and ran into the house. Crystal, holding a dog biscuit in one hand, couldn’t help but smile. In his excitement to race her to the bedroom, he’d forgotten to charge his toll. She closed and locked the front door, the latter of which was a newly acquired habit. Since McVoyer’s invasion of the house, she would never again leave her doors unlocked. Though it was true that Mystic Creek had an extremely low crime rate, other towns weren’t far away, and there was no guarantee that nefarious individuals wouldn’t visit this peaceful mountain community, bringing their evil ways with them.
Crystal grinned when she reached the bedroom doorway. Rip was already on her bed, looking comfortable atop the tangled bedding. “Aha! So you think you’re my bedmate now, do you?”
Just then her phone, sitting on the nightstand, emitted its loud and startling ringtone. Considering that it was late evening, nine thirty the last time she’d checked, Crystal suspected it was Tanner calling. Instead it was Marsha from the assisted living facility.
“You need to get out here!” she cried. “Tuck’s in trouble, and this time it’s really bad.”
Medical. It had to be medical. Crystal whirled and ran for her purse to grab her car keys. In midstride, she demanded, “Is he being taken to the hospital?”
“Not that kind of trouble. Essie’s son showed up. Essie locks her door, but the son got a key from Patricia. I guess he wanted to surprise Essie, and he sure did. He walked in and caught her having sex with Tuck in her bedroom.”
Little black dots swam in Crystal’s vision. She blinked and braced a hand on the kitchen counter. “So? Isn’t that what people do when they’re in love?”
Marsha made an odd sound. “Yes, and I think this is nuts, Crystal. But her son is raising holy hell! He’s accusing Tuck of raping his mother. He claims she isn’t of sound mind. Patricia is all over it and has already called the cops. Tuck may be arrested!”
Crystal remembered the loving look in Tuck’s eyes when he turned his gaze on Essie. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! My grandfather would never do such a thing!”
“I totally agree. But come out here and tell that insane son of hers that!”
Crystal hung up and dashed to her closet. She almost grabbed jeans and a sweatshirt, but then an image of Essie in her chic clothing pushed into her mind. The woman’s son was probably a flashy dresser, too, and Crystal decided she might need to wear a power outfit that would make a statement.
She went for black, which set off her red hair. Straight skirt, cut short at midthigh. A suit jacket sporting a flared waist that created a balance between edgy and feminine with dainty chain trim and pleats. Matching over-the-knee boots with sturdy four-inch heels completed the outfi
t. Once dressed, she sat at her vanity to hurriedly address her face and hair. When she walked into that building, she wanted Essie’s son to know the instant he saw her that she meant business and wouldn’t be easily intimidated.
Armed with dog biscuits, she led Rip from the house, locked the front door, and gave the dog a final treat as she went out the gate. “Hold down the fort, sweet boy. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
On the way to the center, Crystal called Pete Ramsey to let him know Tuck was in trouble. Then she dialed Tanner. When she told him Tuck might be arrested for molesting Essie, he said, “What?”
“You heard me. Her son says she isn’t of sound mind.”
“That’s nuts. She has a mind like a steel trap. You want me to drive back?”
Crystal appreciated his willingness to be at her side. If she ever got married, she’d choose Tanner as her mate, because he’d always be there when she needed him. “Let me assess the situation first. If it’s a shit show, I’ll call you.”
Normally, the facility lights were dimmed in the community areas at ten, but tonight the large building was lighted up like the White House Christmas tree. When Crystal entered the building, she saw Marsha talking with three elderly women who appeared to be upset. While crossing the room toward Flintlock’s office, she heard Marsha say, “No, no, dear. No one was raped.”
Rape? The very thought of Tuck being accused of doing such a thing made her blood boil. At Flintlock’s door, Crystal didn’t bother knocking. Instead she walked right in. She would not be a mouse. Deputies Barney Sterling and Mark Tanger stood in front of Patricia’s desk. Tuck stood off to the left, looking alone and unnerved. Essie, off to the right, was flanked by a dark-haired, well-dressed man whom Crystal guessed to be in his early forties. He held Essie’s left arm in what appeared to be a firm and possibly biting grip. Essie met Crystal’s gaze, her brown eyes smoldering with what could only have been anger.
Crystal walked over to hug her grandfather.
“I’m in serious trouble,” Tuck said. “Essie’s boy wants them cops to arrest me.”
Crystal rubbed his arm and gave him a pat. “That isn’t going to happen, Tuck. I’ve called your lawyer. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Crystal turned to the deputies, who were now talking to Patricia. She sat behind her desk like a queen on her throne, and judging by her smug expression, she believed all hell was about to rain down on Tuck’s head. Crystal’s palm itched to smack her a good one.
“Deputy Sterling, Deputy Tanger,” Crystal said by way of greeting. “What exactly is going on?”
Barney settled his gold-flecked hazel gaze on Crystal, and she saw a flicker of sympathy in its depths. “Mr. Childers claims that his mother has dementia and your grandfather molested her. Actually, he wishes to press rape charges against Mr. Malloy. He says your grandfather got his mom drunk and then took advantage of her. There is a bottle of cognac sitting out in her living room, and two snifters still smell of the alcohol, so I am fairly certain Mrs. Childers and your grandfather were drinking.”
“They enjoy an occasional drink, Barney. That isn’t a crime. You’re a cop. Do they look or act drunk? And they were inside a private residence. Even if they were drunk, it’s no one’s business but theirs.”
“If she’s of sound mind, I agree,” Barney conceded. “But when I’ve got the woman’s son here, swearing she’s got dementia, I’m caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Pete Ramsey walked in just then. He wore jeans and a T-shirt. Crystal suspected she’d interrupted his sleep. Saying nothing, he stood with his back against the wall.
Crystal straightened her shoulders. “I’ve spent time with Mrs. Childers. She and my grandfather have been keeping company, and today I even took them out for a picnic. She’s never exhibited any signs of dementia when I’ve been around her.”
Barney frowned. “She is seventy-eight. In the early stages, I believe people have long periods of mental clarity interspersed with confusion.”
“That’s absurd,” Crystal replied. “Have you talked with Essie? You can tell when a person isn’t tracking well. I’m sure you’ve had training and can spot that better than most of us.”
“Her son says she’s upset, and he’s reluctant to let me question her.”
“Because he knows she’ll blow what he’s told you clear out of the water.” Crystal strove to keep her temper. “I don’t question his sincerity. I’m sure it was upsetting for him to walk into his mother’s residence and find her in bed with a strange man. But for him to suggest that her mental acuity is compromised has to be either a lie or the result of overprotectiveness. Essie is a delightful conversationalist, she forgets nothing, and she’s intelligent enough to think circles around most of the people in this room. Ask her if she feels able to talk with you.”
Essie stood only a few feet away. “I’m perfectly capable of answering your questions, Deputy.” She met Barney’s gaze and the blazing anger in hers was apparent. “My son has taken my cellular device and removed my portable phones from my apartment. He’s trying to make it impossible for me to call my legal representatives. Mrs. Flintlock has put my devices in a safe. I demand that my property be returned.”
Barney adjusted his Stetson. “I’ll see to it, Mrs. Childers.” He directed a glance at Patricia. “What harm can it do if the lady has her communication devices?”
“She’s addled. I don’t want a bunch of lawyers breathing fire down my neck because she calls and tells them outrageous stories.”
“Outrageous stories?” Essie echoed. “What’s outrageous is that I’m standing here. My son entered my residence with a key you gave him and without knocking. He invaded my privacy. You and your sidekicks did as well. Then my son put his own spin on what he saw! That, Patricia, is the outrage.”
“Mother,” her son said, giving her arm a shake.
“Don’t interrupt me, Garth. And from this moment forward, do not address me by that title. No son worth having does this to his mother.”
Garth gave Barney an appealing look. “Unreasonable anger is one of the symptoms.” A flush reddened his tanned face. He pointed at Tuck. “Arrest that man! He raped my mother.”
Pete stepped forward, but before he could speak, Barney held up his hand. “I can’t handcuff an old man and remove him from a facility where he’s receiving care.” He looked at Essie. “Mrs. Childers appears to be physically unharmed. I suggest that her phones be returned to her and that everyone should retreat to their own corners. A time-out, if you will, for tempers to cool. We can reconvene in the morning to discuss this.”
Garth Childers’ face drew into rigid lines of rage. “I refuse to leave my mother in a building where a lecherous old pervert is on the loose!”
Barney sent Crystal a look that said, Help.
“I’ll stay the night in my grandfather’s unit to make sure he goes nowhere near Essie,” Crystal offered. “That should eliminate any concerns you may have for your mother’s safety.”
Garth, although visibly reluctant, accepted Crystal’s solution, but he pointed an accusing finger at Tuck, saying, “This isn’t over yet. In the morning, I’ll have my lawyer present, and I will press rape charges against you.” Then, releasing his hold on Essie’s arm, he rounded on Patricia. “I’m also going to sue this facility for taking such deplorable care of my mother.” He strode to the door, paused, and glanced back at Essie. “I’m leaving to find a motel room for the night, but rest assured, I’ll be back in the morning.”
“All bad pennies keep turning up,” Essie said with a saccharin-sweet smile.
Patricia still hadn’t moved from her chair. Barney leveled a stare at her until she finally lifted her hands and said, “What?”
“The phones? No matter who Mrs. Childers may call, you had no right to confiscate them. It’s theft.”
Chapter Seventeen
After watching
Crystal lead her grandfather across the common area toward his apartment, Essie returned to her own residence. She slammed the door so hard she hoped she woke every resident in the place. Tears stung her eyes when she looked in her bedroom, where the bed coverings were still rumpled from her and Tuck’s lovemaking. What had happened between them had been beautiful, and it nearly broke her heart that Garth had tried to make it seem ugly and criminal. She hoped that Tuck had no regrets and realized she didn’t. Her son was a greedy, self-serving pain in the ass.
She poured herself another brandy and set herself to the task of returning her portable phones to their charging bases. Then she plucked her cellular device from her pocket and called Tuck’s number.
“Hello, darlin’,” he said. “You doin’ okay?”
Essie smiled through tears. “I’m fine. Furious with my son, of course. I just want you to know there’s nothing to worry about. He blustered and made threats, but I’ll see to it that he can’t carry through with any of them. You won’t be arrested and put in jail.”
Tuck chuckled. “My own attorney was here, and he’ll be back in the mornin’. But I figured you might be up to somethin’ like that. You callin’ in the troops?”
“Yes. Garth has overstepped his bounds this time. I’m finished with him, and by morning, he’ll comprehend the full extent of my anger. So will Patricia Flintlock. She made a bad mistake by siding with my son against me and giving him a key to my place. Stupid of her. She’s always resented that I stand up for myself. I think she wanted a small measure of revenge, which she is going to regret.”
“Don’t get all worked up, honey.”
Essie wiped her cheeks. “I don’t get worked up, Tuck. I get even.”
After telling him good night, Essie sat at her desk to place some calls. Though it was late and she would wake people up, her employees were paid handsomely to be at her beck and call 24-7.
* * *
Tanner found no one at home when he drove by Crystal’s house, so he headed to the assisted living facility. When he walked to the front doors, he discovered that they were locked. Marsha sat at the front desk. He guessed that her shift ended at midnight. He rapped his knuckles against the glass. She glanced up and smiled. Moments later, she had disarmed the security system and opened the door to let him in.