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“Stay away from the water.”
“I will, Mom. I’m going to look for more turtles.”
Ty joined her at the railing. He’d removed his hooded jacket and pushed up the sleeves of the well-worn maroon T-shirt, revealing strong forearms. A sturdy black watch strapped across his wrist highlighted his nicely sculpted hands. She tore her gaze back to her son. “He shouldn’t be down there alone.”
“He’ll be okay. I told him not to go on the pier without a grown-up. Does he know how to swim?”
“No.”
“Well, the water’s not deep at the edge. A foot or so. Worst he would get is wet and muddy, but I’ll see if I can find a small life vest for him if it’ll make you feel better.”
“It would. He’s all I have left.” She could sense Ty’s probing gaze assessing her.
“He’s a great kid. He reminds me of my nephew. Maybe I’ll get them together soon. Give Elliot someone his age to play with.”
“You have family here?”
Ty smiled and nodded. “I was raised here. My dad owns the local hardware store. My brother and his family live in Dover, and my sister has her own construction company. I’m the only one who lives out of town. And I haven’t been home in a long while.”
“I’m sure they’re glad you’re back now.”
Ty rubbed the side of his neck. “They would be if they knew I was in town.”
Ginger turned to face him. “You didn’t tell them? Why?” He turned away, resting his forearms on the railing and staring out to the water. Obviously he didn’t want to discuss the issue.
“I have things I need to sort out. I can do that best alone.”
“But maybe your family could help.” If only she’d had someone to talk to, to comfort her when she’d felt so abandoned and alone, her world filled with anxiety and hopelessness
Ty shook his head, a slight smile on his face. “My dad would heap advice on my head, my mom would bake a pile of cookies and my brother and sister would harass me beyond endurance. I don’t need that right now.”
A sudden thought erupted in her mind. “You’re not estranged from your family, are you?” She laid her hand on his forearm, acutely aware of the warm strength beneath her fingers and the steady pulsing of the blood through his veins. She told herself to remove her hand, but for some reason she didn’t want to. “Because if there is, you need to sort it out immediately.” Memories of the years separated from her parents because of anger and stupid pride flooded her mind. “Don’t let another day go by, Ty. Don’t waste time on petty grievances and misplaced pride. I know what kind of sorrow that can bring.”
Ty turned to face her, his blue eyes filled with a tenderness she hadn’t expected and didn’t understand. He took her hand in both of his, enfolding her in a sense of warmth and security.
“I’m not at odds with my family, Ginger. I love them. I depend on them.”
“So why don’t you want them to know you’re in town?”
He released her, turning to stare at the lake again. “Because what I have to decide, I have to do alone. My family knows my situation, but they can’t help me with this particular problem. There’s only one person who can help me, and so far he hasn’t been forthcoming.”
“Who’s that?”
He grinned, deepening the crevices in his cheek. “The good Lord.”
His words cast a shadow over her mood. “Maybe He’s too busy to listen.”
A frown creased Ty’s forehead, causing a strand of hair to fall over it. “He listens to the prayers of all His children.”
He sounded so confident. But she knew otherwise. “Elliot. Time to come in.” Back inside the cabin, she headed to the kitchen. As she passed the island, she spotted the book she’d seen Ty reading earlier. It was a worn leather Bible. Why hadn’t God listened to her prayers?
Ty entered the cabin with Elliot at his side. “I’m heading to town shortly. Would you and Elliot like to tag along? We can stock up on supplies and check in with Zeke to see if he has a diagnosis on your car yet.”
She wanted to find out about her car, but the thought of leaving the safety of the cabin, putting herself into unknown situations, talking to strangers, triggered all her old fears. She knew it was cowardly, but she couldn’t help it. “No. I have things to do here. Besides, I want to wait for the call.”
She reached for her cell phone, only to remember it was out of minutes. She needed time alone to gather her strength for what was to come. She thought about what Ty had said, about him needing alone time. That was something they had in common. But she had to have a phone. There was only one other solution—swallow her pride and ask for help. She’d done that already when she’d contacted her mother after a nine-year silence. Apparently, she’d have to swallow a lot more until she could get to her mom’s and start fresh. “Could I ask you for a favor?”
“Name it.”
“Could you have my phone loaded with more minutes? If you’ll bring me the receipt, I’ll pay you back.”
“Sure. Hey, I just remembered. I have an old plug-in phone around here someplace, and the cabin’s wired for it.” He moved to the cabinet under the television, then to a lower drawer in the kitchen, finally pulling out a landline phone. He carried it to the end table and plugged it into the phone jack in the wall. “I can call you on this if I need to. I’ll give the number to the garage, too.”
“Thank you.” He seemed to think of everything. “I appreciate that.”
* * *
Ty pulled his vehicle into an empty parking space in front of the Dover city government complex, turned off the engine and hopped out. His gaze fell on the items piled to the roof in the back of his SUV. If his instincts were correct, this was the sum total of Ginger and Elliot’s possessions. His stomach turned queasy. They truly were homeless.
When he’d stopped by Zeke’s earlier to check on Ginger’s car, he’d noticed all the boxes and bags stuffed in the trunk and the backseat. He doubted anyone would mess with their belongings while at the shop, but better safe than sorry. He’d transferred it all to his car, intending to store it in one of the cabinets below the cabin until she left. Which, according to Zeke, might be a while. The car was in bad shape. The preliminary once-over indicated a transmission problem, which always meant big bucks.
Ty had made Zeke promise to call him first with the final assessment. Hopefully, he could find a way to tell Ginger, or better yet, have an alternative plan in place. He wanted to know what had happened to land them in this situation, but even in the short time he’d known them, it was clear that Ginger Sloan wasn’t one who accepted help easily.
Crossing the parking lot, he pulled open the glass door and stepped inside the sprawling building that housed the police department and other city offices. The modern facility was a new addition since he’d been home last.
His main reason for stopping by was to check in with the local police, let them know another officer was in town. Technically, since he was on medical leave, he had no authority here in Dover, but it was common courtesy to make his presence known. More importantly, he wanted to see his old mentor, Chief Brady Reynolds.
Inside the building, Ty glanced around, getting his bearings. The reception area was large and spacious with several rows of chairs for waiting, many of them occupied. The information desk consisted of a large window above a wide counter. A hallway to the right extended the length of the building. Signs placed perpendicular to the doors directed residents to various departments. The sign above the hall to the left designated the police department.
Ty started toward the information window as two uniformed Dover police officers strode into the reception room and toward the front door. A cold vise clamped around his heart. A knot the size of a football formed in his gut. He started to sweat, his hands balling into tight fists at his side.
His mind struggled to process what he was seeing. People moving about. Phones ringing in the background. The tension and activity of a city complex. All of it so familiar. While he’d never worked as a police officer here in Dover, all stations had the same feeling for him. Home. Where he belonged. Now being here filled him with doubt and fear and feelings of failure and guilt. He willed himself to get control. He hadn’t anticipated this kind of reaction.
Forcing a few deep breaths, he fought back the fear and moved forward to the man seated at the information desk. “I’d like to see Chief Reynolds, please.”
The man eyed him closely. Did he look as freaked out as he felt?
“Name?”
“Ty...” If he gave his last name, his family would hear about it before he could blink. “Just tell him Ty is here. He’ll know.”
After a quickly placed call, the man leaned forward and gestured to the right. “Down that hall. First door on the left.”
With each step down the tiled hallway, Ty’s anxiety grew. It was always like this. One minute he was fine, the next he was caught in a tidal wave of emotion he couldn’t control. Maybe, once he’d made his decision, these anxiety attacks would disappear.
Chief Brady Reynolds met him at his office door. “Well, this is a nice surprise. I saw your dad this morning, and he never said a word about you being home.” Reynolds shook Ty’s hand and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder before pulling him into the office and closing the door. He sat down behind his desk, gesturing for Ty to be seated.
Ty eased into the chair, grimacing at a sudden stitch in his side. “That’s because the family doesn’t know I’m here.”
Brady drew his eyebrows together. “You don’t say. Is there a reason for that?”
Exhaling a heavy sigh, Ty lifted one shoulder. “I need time to sort things out. I can’t do that if they’re hovering all the time.”
“I understand. So, what brings you here?”
His mentor’s easy manner and warm smile chased away the last of Ty’s anxiety attack. “I just wanted to check in, let you know I’m in town. In case you need the assistance of a big-city cop. Someone with real experience.”
Reynolds smiled at the teasing dig. “What I need is an officer who loves the town.” Brady grunted and leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. “This little visit have anything to do with the shooting?”
One of the reasons Ty had come to see his old mentor was his directness. He never beat around the bush. “Yeah. It does.”
“How’s that going? You look good.”
Ty crossed his legs. “Physically, I’m almost back to normal. I need to build up my strength, but in another month or so I’ll be good as new.”
“And the emotional part?”
The scar on his neck started to itch. “Lousy. The shrink suggested I go someplace quiet to think things through. That’s why I came here.” The chief studied him a long moment.
“Ty, when an officer gets shot, it’s not just the trauma to the body that has to heal, but the trauma to the spirit, as well. The ordeal can force an officer to accept that he’s mortal, that a gun and a badge doesn’t make him invincible. He may wonder if he can still do his job.”
“And if he can’t?”
“There are plenty of other law enforcement jobs besides walking a beat or investigating crimes. More money in the private sector, too.” He leaned back, making the leather chair creak softly. “I had a tough time after my shooting. It was a simple flesh wound, but I doubted my abilities, and my sanity, at one point. I seriously considered putting the badge down forever.”
That option was the last one Ty wanted to consider. “How did you get past it?”
“Prayer and determination.” He smiled. “Ty, I’ve known you since you were a teen, and I know you’ve wanted to be a cop your entire life. If ever the Lord created a man to be a police officer, it’s you. Give yourself time. The Lord will give you the answer, but in His time, and when He’s ready and everything is in place.”
Ty mulled over his friend’s words a short while later as he picked up a new prepaid phone for Ginger, then headed for his parents’ home. While he appreciated Brady’s confidence in him, it didn’t change the fact that Ty was in the grip of fear and guilt he didn’t know how to conquer.
Pulling into the driveway, he sat behind the wheel a moment, reluctant to face his mom. He’d chosen to come here while his dad was at the store. He could only deal with one parent at a time. Angie Durrant was standing in front of the sink when he entered. She glanced up and froze. Her face paled a moment, then brightened with a wide smile and moist eyes.
“Ty. Oh, sweetheart, what a wonderful surprise.” She wrapped him in a tight hug. “How are you? Are you all right?”
Ty nodded and stepped back. “Fine, Mom. All healed up.”
“I wish you would have warned me you were coming. I could have had your room all ready for you. It won’t take but a minute to freshen it up.” She started to turn away, but he caught her arm.
“Mom, I’m not staying here. I’m staying at the cabin. I got in late last night.” The look of hurt and disappointment on her face wounded him. “I need time to think about what I’m going to do next, Mom. I have to decide if I’m going to stay on the force or look into another line of work.”
She nodded. “I see. Well, you know if there’s anything you need, your father and I are always here for you.”
“I know, Mom, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here.” He took a seat at the kitchen island. “I have a problem I may need your help with. There’s a woman and her son at my cabin.” His mother’s eyes widened, and he quickly explained.
“Oh, the poor thing. What can we do to help?”
“I don’t know yet. But I was thinking of maybe buying them plane tickets so they could go to her mother’s.”
“We can certainly handle that.” She reached across the table and patted his hand. “Let us know when you decide what you want to do for them.”
“I will.” He stood and prepared to leave. “I’d like to bring them to church tomorrow, then come back here for dinner, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. I’m anxious to meet them.” She followed him to the door, laying a hand on his arm. “Son, I want to help you. It hurts me to see you this way.”
“I know. But I have to figure this out on my own, Mom. Don’t worry. The Lord and I are working on it. I know He has a plan. He just hasn’t told me what it is yet.”
Chapter Three
Ginger dug out the box of small metal cars from the satchel containing Elliot’s toys. “Found them.” Her shout brought her son dashing into the bedroom.
“Thanks. I’m going to take them to the dirt pile. It’ll make good ramps. They’ll shoot way up in the air.” He demonstrated with his hands and made a gershing sound through his teeth.
“What dirt pile?”
“The one down by the other deck.”
“Other deck?” Granted, they’d only been at this cabin less than twenty-four hours, but her son had discovered every nook and cranny. All she’d experienced was the cabin and the deck. Maybe after lunch, she’d explore the grounds. She’d been longing to walk out onto the pier and maybe even sit in one of the inviting Adirondack chairs under the trees. The weather was cool today, but nothing like what she’d left behind in Connecticut in early January.
“I think you’d better drive your cars on the deck for now. I’m going to fix lunch, then you can show me all the things you’ve discovered.”
It took only a second in the kitchen to realize Ty had forgotten to bring back the only loaf of bread. A quick search of the rest of the food revealed little else for a meal. While there were various options, each required an ingredient that was missing. Ty had been wise to suggest a trip to the grocery store. Maybe she should have gone along. At least then she could have picked up things her son would eat. Which mainly consisted of cereal, hot dogs and canned spaghetti. And of course, peanut butter and jelly.
Another thought leaped into her mind, sending her reaching for the notepad on the counter. She had to start a list of the money she owed Ty Durrant. Lodging, food, laundry detergent—she’d tossed in their dirty clothes this morning. Phone. She guessed at the amounts. Once she had some receipts, she could make a more accurate tally.
But in the meantime, no bread. The boathouse. Maybe she could go and get it. Or was that invading his privacy? She walked out to the deck. “Elliot, how does soup sound for lunch?”
“Yuck.”
No surprise there. “Ty forgot to return the loaf of bread. Do you know if he locks the boathouse?” He shrugged, not taking his eyes from the caravan of tiny cars he was creating on the planked deck.
“Okay. Well, I’m going to go see. You want to come?”
“Nope.”
Great. If she was going to break into Ty’s place, she’d be all alone. Her heart pounded as she crossed the yard. What if he came home and found her there? Not good. It was only a loaf of bread. No big deal. Then again, look what stealing a loaf of bread had done to Jean Valjean.
The closer she came to the boathouse, the larger it appeared. She stepped onto the narrow wooden walkway connecting the covered boat slip with the house. Two large windows on either side of the door were coated with grime. The place was old and rickety, but a good size. Standing here now, she decided that maybe Ty wasn’t as cramped as she’d assumed.
Swallowing her doubts, she reached out and turned the knob, startled when the door swung open of its own accord. She peeked in, surprised to find the place nothing as she expected. The boathouse was one large room. A twin bed tucked in an alcove against the back wall was unmade. Beside it an open door revealed a small bathroom. A tiny kitchen, consisting of little more than a sink and a counter with a small fridge tucked beneath, took up one wall. The opposite wall held shelves behind a rickety vinyl recliner that was probably one of the first ones ever invented. A small table with an out-of-date television completed the decor.
She exhaled. Well, she could quit worrying about Ty’s comfort. The place might be small, musty and very old, but he had everything he needed. Her gaze traveled to the duffel bag partially open on the floor. T-shirts and white socks poked out the top. The dark jeans he’d worn last night were in a heap beside it. The sweats he’d worn this morning were tossed across the foot of the bed.
The intimacy of his personal things sent heated embarrassment into her cheeks. She’d come for the bread, not to snoop. Spinning around, she scanned the small kitchen, finding the loaf of bread on the counter near the coffeepot. Grabbing it up, she hurried out, shutting the door firmly behind her.
After lunch, Elliot gave her a tour of the grounds around the cabin, from the large lower deck with a hot tub to the pier and the boat slip and the picnic table nestled beneath a large oak tree draped with moss. The pleasant weather was the perfect invitation to take a walk along the pathway that followed the banks of the lake.
When they returned to the cabin, Elliot opted to stay in the yard and look for turtles while Ginger went inside to wait for the call from the garage. She’d planned on staying close to the phone, but her time with her son was too important to miss. The phone rang as she walked into the living room. Her stomach tightened as she lifted the receiver.
