A Soldier's Journey (11 page)

She hurried out the door, Joseph at her side. She was back at the cabin in five minutes. She quickly washed her face and applied lipstick. After filling Joseph's food and water dishes, she glanced at her watch again. Ten to five.

Joseph looked at her anxiously as she grabbed the keys to the car. “Stay,” she said. He moaned. “I won't be long.”

With that promise, she was out the door.

CHAPTER TWELVE

A
NDY
DROVE
UP
to the large period brick home precisely at 5:00 p.m.

As she approached the porch, she wished she had brought a notebook or a recorder or something. She would have to depend on her memory if he said anything important.

She felt a little trepidation and then realized how foolish that was.

She'd certainly managed worse situations. She reached the door, rang the bell and was surprised how quickly it was opened.

A young Hispanic woman opened the door and smiled. “Miss Stuart, Mr. Monroe is waiting for you in his study. I'm Elena. Can I bring you coffee or tea?”

That was positive. It meant that Al Monroe expected her to stay longer than hello, goodbye.

“Coffee, please,” she said. “Just black.”

“That's the way Mr. Monroe likes it, too,” she said approvingly.

Elena led the way through the living room, where a slight older woman sat with a book in her hands. She looked wan and thin, but there was an elegant beauty about her. She put the book down. “Hello,” she said.

“Hello,” Andy said, “I'm Andy Stuart.”

“I'm Sara Monroe.” She started to rise but Andy noticed she did so with difficulty.

“Please don't get up,” Andy said.

Mrs. Monroe sank back into her chair. “My knees aren't that good any longer, but I'm delighted Al asked you over.”

“Thank you,” Andy said, noting that her knees weren't the only thing wrong with Mrs. Monroe. Her face had an unhealthy pallor. Andy stood there, not knowing what else to say.

Elena saved her. “This way,” she said, and Andy nodded at Mrs. Monroe and hurried along beside Elena as she led her down a hall to a large room lined with books. A large mahogany desk piled with papers dominated the room. There was a side extension that held a computer.

This time, Al Monroe rose. “Miss Stuart,” he acknowledged. “Are you settled in the cabin?”

“Yes,” she said. “It's really very comfortable.”

“Manning did a good job with it.”

She nodded. That surprised her. She hadn't expected a compliment directed at the Mannings.

“You said you wanted to write about our town,” he said. “What do you think you know about it now?”

She noticed the emphasis he put on
think
. “Not a lot,” she confessed. “I like history, and the West has always fascinated me. I have a general knowledge about its history. I found a newspaper in the library with a sketch of your ancestor. I know Angus founded the town and he helped with the statehood campaign. You must be really proud of him.”

He grunted. A sign of displeasure?

“Why do you think you can write a history on the town better than someone here?”

“Because no one has,” she shot back.

He studied her for a long moment. “I'm impressed,” he said, “and that doesn't happen often.” He hesitated, then added, “My wife has always been interested, as well. She's donated some items to the so-called museum, but lately...” He stopped, then added, “I guess you heard about my nephew.”

“A little.”

“Sara couldn't have children. Sam became the son she couldn't have when my sister and her husband died in an auto accident. It near killed her when he kidnapped Eve's kid. She has a heart problem but it seems to be under control. The bigger problem is she's lost her spirit. She stopped going to meetings she previously liked and she seldom goes out.”

“I'm sorry,” she said.

“Maybe you could get her interested in your project. She's a good writer. She majored in English and minored in journalism. I think her heart was with journalism, but those jobs were scarce, especially for a woman, and she turned to teaching English until we married.” He put a hand on the table and played with a letter opener shaped like a dagger. “I like your brass in barging in on me. I also appreciate the fact you've been in the army. It takes guts, discipline and honor.”

So that was the reason she was asked here. He wanted to use her to help his wife. She couldn't argue with that. His motive was more noble than hers. “Why don't you just ask her to do it?”

He sighed. “She would think it's my idea—busy work.”

“Eve could ask her,” Andy said, not wanting to get involved in something that was becoming complicated.

“I'm afraid it would be the same problem. She would think I put Eve up to it. You're a newcomer asking questions. I hope she will embrace that.”

His brow furrowed as he waited for an answer.

Andy hesitated. She knew how abrupt he could be from their first meeting. She could easily see the difference in styles between Al Monroe and Eve, and how they might clash. They both wanted what was best for Covenant Falls; they just had different ideas of what best was.

Darn, she liked him. He was like her father: irascible but underneath that hard crust he obviously cared about his wife a great deal. “It's just meant to be a short history,” she said. “And it's to promote the town.”

“I know,” he said. “As I said, I usually know what goes on here. But maybe it will get Sara interested in moving on with her life.”

She nodded. “I can't promise anything, but I'll try.”

“Thank you,” he said.

Andy hesitated, then plunged in. “Eve said you might have some journals written by Angus Monroe?”

He hesitated. “Is that a deal breaker?”

“No. They would just be very helpful.”

“I'll think about it,” he said. “In the meantime, there's letters and news articles and other material. Sara can get you started.”

“Is your wife a native of Covenant Falls?” she asked.

“No. That's one of the problems. Even after all these years, she feels like an outsider to people who live here. I suspect some of it is my fault. But, like you, she loves history and has always been more interested in Angus than I was. I always think about the present and the future.”

He stood then. “I know it's late notice, but could you join us for dinner?”

When she hesitated, he added, “We'll be finished in plenty of time for you to go to one of those meetings at the community center.”

She must have looked surprised, because he added, “As I said, I still know everything that goes on in Covenant Falls. You might tell Eve that.”

“I think she probably knows,” she retorted.

“She probably does,” he agreed with a hint of a smile. “What about dinner?”

“I would like that,” she said even as she wondered about the strange circumstances in the past four days. She'd needed something to take her mind off Afghanistan. She'd certainly found it here.

What had Dr. Payne dropped her into?

Al—he was Al to her now, although she wouldn't dream of addressing him that way—accompanied her into the living room, and he helped Mrs. Monroe stand. There was obvious affection between them. He might be a bear with others, but it seemed it was of the teddy type with his wife.

Dinner was served immediately. Pork tenderloin with a whiskey sauce, wild rice and grilled vegetables. “It's wonderful,” Andy said after several bites.

“Elena is a great cook,” Mrs. Monroe said politely. “Al told me you're living in Josh Manning's cabin. I hope you like Covenant Falls.”

“It would be hard not to,” she said. “I really enjoy the mountain next to the cabin, and I saw the falls yesterday. It's glorious.”

He turned to his wife. “Miss Stuart is writing a brochure about the town. You know as much or more about our history as I do, and I'm busy right now with my accountant. Could you meet with her tomorrow, show her some of our photos and documents?”

Mrs. Monroe's eyes lit. A bit of color came into her cheeks. Andy knew she must have been a real beauty.

“I would like that,” Sara Monroe replied.

Andy suggested 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Mrs. Monroe nodded. “That will be fine. We can have tea.”

Andy hesitated, then asked, “I have a service dog. Would it disturb you if I brought him?”

“No. Of course not. I would enjoy meeting him.” She cast a look at Al as if warning him not to argue. There was iron in her.

“I'm afraid I must go now,” Andy said. “But thank you for dinner.”

“Miss Stuart has a meeting tonight,” Al explained.

“Good,” Sara Monroe said. “I understand you've come back from the service, and you have no family here. Please consider us your friends.”

Al took charge then and walked her to the door. “Thank you,” he said. He looked pleased with himself and she turned and left.

* * *

N
ATE
CALLED
A
NDY
as he left June Byars's house Monday afternoon. He'd dropped off some lumber he would need to fix her porch the next morning. He'd hoped to take Andy and Joseph to the community center for the vet meeting. When no one answered, he tamped down the disappointment he felt. He told himself that she was probably doing just fine by herself.

He wasn't so sure about himself. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind.

Where was she? He worried about her. He felt she was his responsibility, or maybe that was just his excuse.
Dammit.

He reached home at six thirty, took a quick shower and put on clean clothes, then headed for the meeting. He'd made a point of making the meetings a priority both for himself and the others. Especially tonight. Most of the guys would be strangers to Andy, and news that a new vet—a woman—was in town would probably bring them all out.

He reached the community center right at seven. Five vehicles were already there. He didn't see Josh's Jeep. No sign of Andy's yellow Volkswagen, but she could easily walk from the cabin.

The door was unlocked, and he walked through the entrance to the community room. Johnny Kay, owner of the Rusty Nail and a vet himself, had apparently brought the beer tonight. Bottles were stacked in ice in an office wastebasket. Snacks were already on the bar, including a great-looking dip and chips. He dropped five dollars in a jar for the beer and grabbed a bottle.

Bill Evans stood in a corner, and Nate greeted the others as he made his way over to him. “Seen Andy?” he asked.

“She was here earlier in the day and said she wasn't sure she could come, that she had an appointment,” Bill said. “She was seen entering the Monroe house late this afternoon. That's all I know.”

Nate digested that. So she had gotten her foot in Monroe's door! Why was he not surprised?

“Good for her,” he said. He hoped it was good. He was never sure what Al Monroe would do. He could be a devious bully, but then he would surprise the town and do something generous. He had certainly startled everyone when he apologized and resigned from the council when his nephew went rogue.

He took a long swallow of beer and helped himself to the chips and dip as others filtered in. As he predicted, it was going to be a full house. They were all curious about the newcomer.

“Army, navy or air force?” asked one.

“Army,” he replied. “A nurse, but I wouldn't ask any questions.”

“Bad stuff?”

“I think so. Haven't asked, though.” Nate put a warning in the words.

Josh came in carrying a large pan of chicken wings. Amos, as always, was at his side. Several of the guys competed with each other as to who would shake his paw first. Then they dived into the chicken wings.

“Hey, save a few,” Josh chided.

“Eve make these?” Bill Evans asked.

“Hell, no. She doesn't think they're healthy,” he said as he grabbed one. “I picked these up at the Rusty Nail on the way in. I didn't have time for supper. Neither, I think, did Nate, so leave a few for him.”

Josh looked around, and Nate knew he was searching for Andy. “She's not here,” Nate said. “Someone saw her go into Monroe's house around five.”

“Maybe we should send a rescue party,” Josh replied.

“Not necessary,” Nate said as Andy Stuart walked in with Joseph.

Amos went over and sniffed Joseph, although they had met earlier.

The guys introduced themselves one by one, each identifying himself by the branch of service, teasing the one ahead of him. Nate and Josh stood at the bar, watching, ready to step in if necessary. It wasn't. The vets all knew not to push the newbie.

When all the introductions were finished Andy joined Josh and Nate at the bar. “Beer?” Nate asked. “And Josh brought some spectacular chicken wings.”

She hesitated, then nodded her head for the beer and refused the wings. “I just had dinner.”

“Bill said he saw you go into the Monroe house,” Nate said with a question in his eyes.

“Everyone really does know what is going on in town, don't they?” she said. “Dr. Payne warned me about that.”

“And?” Nate said.

“And I heard there was a poker game here,” she said, a gleam in her eyes. She looked very self-satisfied. He had to grin even as his curiosity was stoked to boiling.

All of a sudden a large round table filled up. It was all Nate and Josh could do to grab a seat. Some of those who didn't make it turned on the baseball game. Others stood around to watch.

“Ladies first,” Bill said and handed the deck to her.

She looked at it, then said apologetically, “Can you shuffle for me? My fingers are a bit stiff.”

Bill glanced at the hand brace and flushed. “I'm sorry. Of course I can.” He shuffled and handed the deck back to her. “We play penny ante with nickels rather than pennies,” he said. “We have a jar if you need any.”

“I do,” she said. “Five dollars' worth.”

“She came to play!” Jeff, the youngest vet, commented.

A hundred nickels were counted out, put in a can and handed to her. The others were putting out cans that clinked when moved.