Lake of Tears (24 page)

A knock came on the frame of the door, and then Andrew Stickler poked his head around the corner.

“Hey,” he said.

“Come on in. I’m just getting settled.”

“Congratulations,” he said, still standing.

“Have a seat,” she offered.

“I can’t stay long. Just came in to say goodbye and thanks for all your help. I’m moving up to the Cities. I’ve got a part-time job as a night security guard. I appreciated the letter of recommendation.”

“No problem.”

“I’m also starting therapy at the VA.”

“I hope that goes well.” After thinking for a moment, she decided she would tell him he was not alone. “Quite a few years ago I was in therapy for nearly a year. It helped. I sorted some things out. But it’s hard work.”

“Nothing could be harder than what I’ve been through.”

She smiled. “Except going through it again. But with someone else at your side.”

“Yeah. Is Meg gone?”

“She leaves tonight.”

“Give her my best.”

“I will.”

“I’m sorry I kept seeing her.”

“I know it wasn’t just you. Meg has talked to me about it.”

“Oh, I guess she would. You have a lovely daughter.”

“I know.”

“Is Doug going to be okay?”

“Hard to say. He’s been evaluated and found to have severe PTSD. I’m not sure how that’s going to affect the judge’s decision at his hearing.”

“He was a good soldier.”

“I know.” If she hadn’t been standing behind the desk, Claire would have reached out and hugged him. But she was the sheriff now, and the desk was there between them. “I wish you well, Andrew. Let us know how you’re doing.”

She reached across the desk and they shook hands.

“I will.” He turned and walked out of the room.

Claire was just going to embrace Meg one last time at the door, kiss her on the forehead, wish her well, and let her go. Which she did. But then as the car backed out of the driveway, she couldn’t stop herself, she couldn’t stay in the house while Meg drove out of her life, off to college for the first time.

So just as the car turned onto the highway, disappearing from sight, Claire bolted out the door. She ran down the driveway and caught sight of the shadow of the car, aimed south on Highway 35, carrying her sweet daughter off into the night.

She watched the taillights of the car, twin stars, until the bend in the road took them away.

Copyright © 2014 by Mary Logue.
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

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TYRUS BOOKS
an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
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Hardcover ISBN 10: 1-4405-7150-3
Hardcover ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7150-3
Paperback ISBN 10: 1-4405-7151-1
Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7151-0
eISBN 10: 1-4405-7152-X
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7152-7

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and F+W Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

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