Hearths of Fire (9 page)

“She went to take a shower,” Charlotte answered, watching Neal as he sat and dug into
the breakfast she’d made. At least someone would enjoy it. She rejoined him at the
table, reminding herself she still needed to call Pam. “So what exactly is our goal
tonight?”

“Look, I didn’t come here to break them up,” Neal warned, picking up the bottle of
syrup. The table had been in her family for a very long time and she couldn’t help
but notice that he’d chosen the same seat that he’d always sat in when he’d join her
family for dinner. It was disconcerting in a way, but also very calming. “I came to
ensure that Mandy stays on the straight and narrow. I have no intention of causing
her heartbreak. With that said, if I get confirmation that this cult is participating
in illegal activities, I trust that Mandy is smart enough to see that Garreth is a
part of that and she should rethink her feelings about him.”

Charlotte felt comfortable with his strategy and that eased a little tension from
her body. While Neal ate his breakfast she called Pam and ensured that store hours
would be covered. Her friend had always been there when she was needed and now was
no exception. With the festival going on, Charlotte also called in two of the high
school students who worked part-time on the weekends. This wasn’t the most opportune
time to take some personal leave but it couldn’t be helped. Thankfully Pam wanted
the extra hours. She also understood Charlotte’s position and she knew the store was
in good hands.

“Did you eat?” Neal asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin and sitting back in his
chair. He picked up his coffee and took a sip, all the while looking over the rim
at her. “With all the running around we have to do today I’m not sure we’ll have time
to grab lunch before we get back in time for dinner tonight.”

“I’m not hungry,” Charlotte said, standing as she started to clear off the table.
“I’ve got a frozen lasagna I made in the freezer I can thaw out. It’s simple and easy
enough with a salad and bread. We—”

“Sit down and eat.” Neal scooted the chair back as he stood, pointing toward an empty
plate. Charlotte couldn’t tell what he was thinking as he picked up the one he’d used
and walked it over to the sink. “I know it’s late in the season, but I’ll grill out
on the back deck. It’ll give me some time alone with Garreth.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Charlotte carried more items to the counter but didn’t
quite make it before Neal stepped in front of her and took them out of her hands.
“Neal, let me clean up and then we’ll be on our way.”

“We’re not leaving here until you eat some breakfast.” Damn, but Neal could be stubborn.
It appeared he hadn’t changed on that front. Before Charlotte could stand her ground
and argue with him, she heard movement coming from the living room. Mandy was dressed
in jeans and a black turtleneck sweater with her hair pulled back in another ponytail.
Her appearance reminded Charlotte of when they were younger and it still amazed her
that so much time had passed since those days when she used to do her sister’s hair.
“Mandy, you’re just in time to join Charlotte for breakfast. I just ate and now I
have some phone calls to make.”

“Garreth said that he’d be by the house around five o’clock for dinner.” Mandy really
didn’t make eye contact with Charlotte, but the two women sat at the table. “He’s
got to run the booth that Ashes to Dirt is using to promote their church, so we’d
like to hit the festival early.”

“Church?” Charlotte shared a look with Neal and she felt her stomach lurch—so much
for any appetite that might have returned. “What does this church preach?”

“Goodness,” Mandy declared, her tense posture indicating that she was ready for another
argument. She swung her gaze to Neal. “All they want is to share their belief in good—is
that so bad?”

“It sure would make a lot of folks around here breathe easier,” Neal said cautiously,
using the counter to lean against as he looked pointedly at Charlotte’s plate. He
then glanced at his watch. “Did I mention that your sister and I are taking a drive
out to their property? Before you get upset, I just want to meet Garreth’s parents.
Charlotte hasn’t met them either and this is a way to smooth any tension that I may
have caused the last time I was in town.”

“Neal, they have been so nice to me,” Mandy said, her innocent gaze almost too much
for Charlotte to take. “They are encouraging me to go to nursing school as they understand
the importance of healing people. It was fate that brought Garreth and I together.
Just think of all the good we can do with him becoming the church’s leader next week.”

“What?” Charlotte asked, standing back up and wincing as the chair made a hideous
noise from being moved too quickly. Her heart started racing at the thought of what
this news meant for her sister. “Mandy, what the hell are you talking about?”

“I knew you’d overreact,” Mandy accused, pushing her own seat back. “Garreth turns
eighteen next weekend as well and this is what his parents have prepared him to do
for his entire life. I think it’s wonderful and once you meet his parents, you’ll
know how good they are.”

“How can an eighteen year old boy know what it takes to—”

“Mandy,” Neal said, interrupting what Charlotte had been going to ask, “we’re not
saying they aren’t good people. What we’re afraid of is the fact that you’ve been
dating Garreth for only two months and in that time span, you’re all but declaring
your love for him. We’re concerned you’re moving your relationship with him a little
too fast.”

“It’s not like we’re having sex,” Mandy declared, shoving her phone in the back of
her jeans as she stood up. The relief that Charlotte felt was palpable, but unfortunately
the feeling didn’t last all but two seconds. “Garreth wants to wait until we’re married.
Doesn’t that tell you what a good man he is?”

Charlotte was speechless and before she found her voice, Neal had taken the lead on
this conversation. She thought she heard him say that was a nice gesture on Garreth’s
part and that Neal hoped that she was smart enough to finish nursing school before
taking that type of leap, but Charlotte couldn’t be sure. Her hearing sounded as if
she’d been placed underwater and from the tightness in her chest, she wasn’t getting
air either. Married?

“Char?” Neal was standing in front of her, his warm fingers cradling the side of her
face. “There’s nothing we can do but what we’re already doing. Now eat something,
even if it’s only a slice of French toast. I need to make a couple of calls and then
we’ll head out.”

Charlotte was surprised to see that Mandy had already left the kitchen while she’d
been grappling with the comment about marriage. She looked up into Neal’s green eyes,
not seeing the reassurance that she needed. He was worried too and that didn’t bode
well. She nodded to let him know that she’d heard him but he didn’t release her right
away. When his eyes dropped to her lips, she was amazed he didn’t comment on their
color. They had to be blue from lack of oxygen. He hadn’t touched her like this since
they were teenagers and everything she’d wanted to say was on the tip of her tongue.

“We’ll leave in ten minutes.”

As if he’d known she was going to bring up the past, Neal released her as if she’d
burned his hand. He lifted his lips in what could pass for a smile, but he couldn’t
hide his discomfort. Emotions warred with each other as she struggled for one area
to concentrate on. Mandy had to come first, so Charlotte slid back into the chair
as she watched Neal exit through the living room archway. Later tonight, when they
were alone, Charlotte would finally bring up the past and put to rest the guilt that
she’d carried all of these years.

‡

N
eal pulled onto
the long dirt drive that led the way to the heart of the Ashes to Dirt compound.
Oak and maple trees were situated about the property, but they didn’t provide enough
coverage to hide what was being done. Charlotte hadn’t been kidding when she’d said
that the followers had been building housing structures throughout the land. The members,
all dressed in black, were busy constructing the framing for what he assumed were
residences. They counted at least six structures that were being put up and as he
continued to drive the truck down the lane, it was easy to see the main house and
the large red barn that was now being used as a church. A large steeple had been placed
on the roof to signify its importance.

For how disturbing the sight was, the sun was still shining down on the land. In a
far pasture past the main house was a sizeable garden that was being tended to by
women and children. A few heads turned their way but no one came to greet them. He
had the driver’s side window cracked open and the blows of hammers and nail guns resounded
through the air, hiding the resonance of nature. He looked over to where Charlotte’s
eyes were wide with surprise and could tell even she was taken aback by the massive
set-up they had going on here. Where exactly had Robert and Patricia picked up this
many followers?

“I’m not sure whether to be appalled or impressed that the Ashes could get this many
people to leave their lives and join them in…well, whatever it is they are doing here,”
Charlotte murmured, summing up exactly what Neal had been thinking. “It makes me wonder
how they got the money to buy this property and how they feed this many people.”

“I looked into their finances,” Neal replied, ensuring that his sidearm was clipped
in place. He continued to take in his surroundings as he spoke. “These followers?
They forked over every dime they had, along with their retirement plans. If you notice,
the majority of people are either older or younger.”

“Isn’t that against the law?”

“Not if they were of sound mind and gave up their life savings of their own accord.
I can’t imagine that made their families very happy.” Neal reached for the handle
but stopped short of opening his door. He needed to make one thing clear. “You follow
my lead. I don’t want you pulling anything like you did last night. Let me ask the
questions.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Charlotte asked, her cute brow back in that V that
was becoming a permanent marker on her forehead. He ignored the need to run his thumb
over the small crease. “I want to help.”

“Then keep your eyes open for anything that seems out of place.” Neal stepped out
of his truck and stated one more thing before slamming it shut. “Don’t leave my side.”

Charlotte stayed in the passenger seat, waiting for Neal to walk around the truck
to open her door. He could feel several sets of eyes on him as he held a hand out
for her and it wasn’t until both of them had turned to face the house that he caught
a glimpse of a curtain falling back into place. He positioned a hand on her lower
back, sticking as close to her as he could. This visit might not go over as well as
she’d hoped.

“Ready?” Neal asked in a low voice, walking toward the wooden steps on the old farmhouse.
With all the upgrading that was taking place, he wasn’t surprised to see a fresh coat
of white paint across the timber. Charlotte never had the time to answer him as the
door opened, along with the screened door, revealing Robert Ashe. “Showtime.”

*

“Neal Bauer, if
I remember correctly.” Robert Ashe had a smile in place that made Charlotte feel
as if winter had settled over the land. His teeth appeared as false as his buoyant
attitude and she had to wonder how no one else saw through his façade. His brown hair
reminded her of men from a previous century where the sideburns were longer than necessary.
As for his features, he had a very average face with a lanky build. “Welcome back
to Hearth.”

“Mr. Ashe,” Neal said in greeting as he pulled his hand away from Charlotte to greet
the leader. She was glad when he immediately put it back in place. “I’d like you to
meet Charlotte Whitefall, Mandy’s older sister.”

“I must say, Charlotte—if I may call you that—you’ve raised a wonderful woman. We
can’t say enough good things about Mandy.” Charlotte reluctantly shook the man’s hand
and did her best not to grimace. “I can only imagine how hard it was for you to lose
your parents at such a young age.”