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“Oh! My bad.” The woman looked apologetic. “I have a little one, too,” she said, turning her attention to Gina. “I’m raising my nephew, Tyler, and he’s about this one’s age. Maybe we could get together for a playdate sometime.”
“That would be great. I’m...” She paused, wondering how to describe her uncertain status. “I’m just in from California and I don’t know anyone. Well, except Buck and his sister.”
“I’m originally from California, too! We should definitely get together!”
Gina felt a surge of warmth. The idea of making mom friends on her own, rather than having acquaintances who were part of her wealthy in-laws’ power network, was just what she hadn’t known she was hungry for. “That would be great! Where’s your nephew now?”
“Oh, I’m trying out a babysitter, so I came to the grocery to give her an hour alone with him. And it’s killing me! I should go back, but give me your phone number and I’ll be in touch.”
They punched numbers into each other’s cell phones, and then the woman gave Buck a quick wave and left.
“Wow, is this town always that friendly?” she asked Buck.
He nodded and tried to smile, but his eyes were hooded and lines bracketed his mouth.
“Buck?” She touched his shoulder.
He shook his head very quickly a couple of times. “We done here?”
“Um, sure. I think so.”
“Let’s go.” He turned and walked toward the checkout, rapid but stiff.
She hurried after him. “What just happened?”
“Nothing. I think I’ll go ahead on out, wait in the truck.”
“But why?”
He stopped so quickly that she ran into him. “You look a lot like my wife. My dead wife. People who don’t know me well and don’t know what happened are going to think you’re her.”
“Ooh.” Realization dawned. “And your baby? What happened to your baby?”
“Dead in the same car accident.” His words were clipped, toneless. “Let’s go.”
It was what he didn’t say that haunted her through the checkout and the ride to their next stop, the church. She longed to ask him more about it but didn’t dare push the issue.
Obviously, his pain was raw. And having her around was like salt in the wound.
Too bad, because she was really starting to like Rescue River.
Chapter Three (#u33fc0a0e-9e06-5298-b48e-cb2d1d60b816)
When they arrived at the church on the edge of town, Gina was captivated. Its white steeple shone bright against the blue sky, and the building was surrounded by a grassy lawn. A creek rambled alongside the church, and several long picnic tables stood under a shelter. It was easy to picture small-town church picnics on that lawn.
Gina hoisted Bobby to her hip and followed Buck toward the church. As they walked up the steps, the door opened and several men came out dressed in work clothes, followed by another in a police uniform. Everyone greeted Buck, and the police officer tickled Bobby under his chin, making him giggle. That close, Gina could see the name tag that indicated he was the chief. Her stomach tightened. For the first time in her life, she felt like law enforcement officers were her enemies, not her friends.
Buck introduced her and briefly explained her story, even though Gina was willing him to be quiet with all her silent might.
“Car broke down, eh?” Chief Dion said. “SUV? White?”
“That’s the one,” she said faintly.
“Saw it this morning. Ran the plates.”
Gina’s heart thudded like a doom-filled drumbeat. Had her in-laws reported her car missing?
“Our computers aren’t communicating too well with those in California, so I couldn’t get any information,” he said. “Glad to know it’s got an owner. Need any help getting back on the road?”
“It’s just out of—”
“We might,” Buck interjected. “We’re headed out there in just a few minutes.”
“Call me if there’s any problem,” Chief Dion offered. “In fact, I might be able to meet you out there or have one of our officers meet you. Make sure everything’s okay.”
“Sounds good.”
As soon as Dion was gone, she turned to Buck. “Why’d you tell him we might need help? It’s just out of gas. And I’d...rather not have police involvement.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“It’s complicated.” He’d been very helpful, and yet she couldn’t fully trust him. She’d yet to meet the person who couldn’t be swayed by her in-laws’ money and power. The police detective she’d consulted privately about their unnecessary roughness had brushed aside her concerns and seemed more interested in how to get the wealthy couple to donate even more money to the local police department.
No, it was her and Bobby against the world. She headed on into the church, welcoming the dark, cool air.
“Come on—pastor’s this way.” As he took the lead, his shoulder brushed against her in the narrow hallway. An awareness clicked into her, something she hadn’t felt since well before her husband had died. Whoa. What was that?
As they approached a doorway marked Pastor’s Study, a middle-aged man stood up from behind the desk and came out to greet them, shaking Buck’s hand heartily and then turning to her. “What a pleasure! Buck, we don’t see you here often enough these days. You just missed the men’s prayer group, fixing up one of the elementary classrooms. What brings you here?”
“This is Gina,” Buck said. “She’s looking for some help. Gina, meet Pastor Ricky.”
Heat flushed Gina’s face. She hated being in this position: helpless, homeless, asking for what amounted to a handout. It’s for Bobby, she reminded herself.
The pastor invited them in, and Gina sat down, cuddled Bobby to her chest and explained their situation to a minimal degree. Homeless, purse stolen, looking for work and a place to stay.
The pastor nodded sympathetically. “The church isn’t really set up for that,” he said. “When we need places for people to stay, we usually ask families to put them up. In fact, Lacey, Buck’s sister, has helped us out a few times.”
“It would work better if she stayed somewhere else,” Buck said.
Ouch! Gina had been an interloper back at her in-laws’ place, where she’d been tolerated because she had given birth to the heir to the empire. But that feeling of always being on the outside, a burden, was a part of what she’d been fleeing.
The last thing she wanted was to feel that way at Lacey’s place, but Buck was making it obvious that he didn’t want her there.
“Let’s see. There’s Lou Ann Miller, but I think she’s away visiting her sister. Maybe Susan Hayashi? Except her mom and brother are here visiting, and they’re doing some renovations on Sam’s house. Getting ready for the wedding, you know. Such a nice couple.” He looked at Buck’s impatient expression and waved a hand. “But you don’t need to hear about all that. You’re sure Lacey’s place isn’t an option?”
“Like I said, somewhere else would be better.”
“Sure enough. I’ll ask around. And I’ll check the balance in the emergency fund.” The pastor studied Buck with a level expression, obviously wondering what was going on. “I’d take you in myself, except we have a houseful of teenagers for the Artists for Christ Concert over in Mansfield. Not very quiet for your baby.”
As if on cue, Bobby wiggled hard, trying to get down to the floor, and she gave the place a quick check for hazards and then set him down. “Do you know of any jobs?” she blurted out before she knew what she was saying. And wondered when Rescue River had become a viable place to live. “I don’t want charity—I want to work, and I’m willing to do anything. I’m good at decorating, cooking and event planning, and I’m really organized. And I have most of a college degree.” Her voice cracked a little on the last word. She’d been thinking about her job skills ever since she left her in-laws’ place, and figuring out how to package her housewife background into something more impressive. Still, it was hard to brag about herself.
“Hmm. Again, we’re a very small town, so I don’t know of much. But what about Lacey? She’s doing all that renovation. Surely she could use some help...”
“That’s not going to work.” Buck’s words were flat, firm and final.
And that irked Gina. She scooped Bobby back up into her arms. “I’m sorry I remind you of your ex. I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can. But I have to do my best for my son. Why are you so against my working for Lacey, if I can talk her into it?”
He lifted an eyebrow, clearly trying to play it cool. “Because you’re on the run and we know nothing about you.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “And...look, Lacey’s not as strong as she acts. Let’s leave it at that.”
What could she say? She nodded, feeling like there was more to the story.
The pastor put a hand on each of their arms. “Let’s take it to the Lord,” he suggested, and Gina felt ashamed she hadn’t done more praying about her situation. She’d been too tired and too worried, but that was exactly when she needed to turn it over to God. Buck and Gina bowed their heads, and the pastor uttered a short prayer for Gina to find shelter and work and for everyone to get along. Something like that. Though she felt too upset and flustered to focus on the words, the pastor’s heartfelt prayer offered a tiny sense of peace.
At the gas station, Buck pulled out a couple of five-gallon gas cans. “We’ll fill both of these,” he said to the attendant who came out to help, even though they were at a self-serve pump.
Gina touched Buck’s arm, embarrassed. “Um, could we just fill one? About halfway? That should do me until...” She trailed off, her face heating. Never in her life had she been completely broke, not able to afford more than a couple of gallons of gas at a time.
He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll fill both.”
“No, I’d rather just do what I can afford.”
“I said don’t worry about it.”
“Trying to get me as far away as you can, are you?” She was half joking, and then she saw on his face that she’d guessed exactly right. “Fine, fill both.” She slammed back into Buck’s truck, feeling unaccountably hurt.
There was no particular reason why Buck should like her or want her to stay. Just because he’d rescued her last night, he didn’t have responsibility for her future or Bobby’s. That was solely on her shoulders.
The thing was, as she rode around Rescue River, even now as she watched the gas-station attendant clap Buck on the shoulder and help him lift the heavy gas cans into the back of his pickup, she liked this place. She could picture herself and Bobby playing in the park and attending the church and getting together with other friendly people. She could imagine herself a part of this community.
On the other hand, the idea of the man beside her resisting every moment of her presence was disconcerting. She hated not being wanted. She’d grown up feeling that way, and she’d married into a family where she felt like an outsider. Was she continuing her same sick pattern?
Rescue River was where the Lord had led her. It seemed like the perfect place to stay, at least for a while.
She just had to convince Buck not to block the whole idea.
* * *
Buck helped Gina fill the gas tank on her loaded, late-model SUV, continuing to wonder what her story was, continuing to get distracted by the lemony scent of her hair. Dion was there, too, helping and subtly questioning, observing everything.
It was early evening, but Buck could still hear the steady chink-chink-chink of a rotary tiller off in the distance. Probably Rob Richardson, trying to get his field finished before the rain came on. Sun peeked through a bank of dark clouds, illuminating the freshly plowed acre beside them. Buck inhaled the sweet, pungent zing that indicated a storm was headed their way.
Gina thanked them both politely, strapped Bobby into the car seat and headed back to the guesthouse. Buck was about to climb into his truck when Dion gestured to him. “Stay back a minute, would you?”
Buck turned toward the police chief. “Sure. What’s up?”
It wasn’t like he was eager to get home. He was half hoping that Gina, now that she had a tank of gas and some baby food, would hightail it to the next town. Or the next state.
Then again, what would she do if she left Rescue River? Alone without money and with a baby to care for, what were the odds that she’d survive, let alone do well?
He didn’t want to worry about her, because being around her disturbed him on so many levels. Her resemblance to Ivana evoked all kinds of feelings he’d had during his marriage. That initial attraction. Anger at how Ivana’s love for him had cooled. Fear that he’d made a lifelong mistake in marrying her, and guilt that he’d let his feelings show.
Horrible guilt about how everything had ended. And with that, the way his drinking had spiraled out of control.
“We have a little bit of a problem,” Dion said.
“With the car?”
“More so with the baby. Did you notice the bandage on his arm?”
Buck nodded. “She said it’s a scratch.”
“Mmm-hmm. Have you seen any other marks on the kid?”
Buck stared at Dion as the puzzle pieces started moving into place. “You’re thinking...what? That somebody abused the baby?”
“Could be.” Dion nodded, not looking at Buck, staring out over the fields. “Could be her.”
“No.” Buck reeled back against that accusation. “I’ve seen how protective she is. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. I more got the impression that she’s running away.”
“That’s my gut instinct, too, but she’s a pretty woman and a mother, so guys like us can be a little distracted. Keep your eyes open for it, would you?”
“Did you find out something against her?”
Dion frowned. “Not officially. But I have a few friends in law enforcement on the West Coast. Apparently, someone tried to report the car stolen, only to find out that it’s not even eligible for unlawful use for another four days.”
“Unlawful use? So...”
“So she took a car that belongs to a family member or friend. Maybe she had permission to use it, but not to take off in it.”
“What are you saying? What do you want to do?”
“I’m thinking she’s either a woman in trouble, or she’s trouble herself. Either way, that baby’s the victim.”
“So we should...”
“We should try to get her to stay in Rescue River, is what I’m thinking.” Dion frowned, rubbed a hand over his chin. “No, it’s not exactly our problem, and we can’t make her stay, but it would be a good thing for her to stick around here until I can make some phone calls, find out what her story is. It’s safe here, and I can monitor the situation, make sure she’s not the abuser and maybe prevent those who are from finding her.”
Something primal raised the hairs on the back of Buck’s neck, and he gave Dion a narrow stare. “You like her, don’t you?”
They weren’t exactly friends. Dion had pulled Buck out of a couple of fights in his role as a cop, when Buck was drinking. Nowadays, Dion was more likely to evangelize him, which was almost worse. But at least it meant that Dion didn’t think he was unredeemable, like so many in town did.
Maybe they had the beginnings of a friendship, but it wasn’t enough to quell Buck’s irrational twinge of jealousy at the thought of Dion liking Gina.
Dion’s eyebrows came together. “What’re you talking about, man? I don’t even know her. I just see a Christian duty, and a judicial one, to watch out for her. And to watch her. Asking for your help as a citizen.”
Buck chuckled, feeling relieved. “That’s a first. You asking me to help you on the right side of the law.”
“People change.” Dion gave him a level stare. “Remember that, my man. People change.”
