Thanksgiving Groom (8 page)

“Did you get Wilma settled at the pastor's home?” Tucker walked next to the older man. The ground was covered with a light dusting of snow and picked up the light of the full moon. It was cold though, deep-down cold.

“Yes, but she's heading across the street to check on Penelope. She isn't going to let you two kids go, you know. As far as she's concerned, you're both hers now.”

“I don't think either of us is bothered by that.”

“What will you do, Tucker?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you have to settle your dad's estate. But are you going back to Seattle to your law practice?”

Tucker shrugged. “I don't know what else I'd do. What about you?”

“Back to Germany and our church there. Last spring we didn't know if we could do it again, but now…well, how can we not?”

“I guess I don't know how you can.” Tucker paused for a moment to think about what he wanted to say. With anyone else he'd hold back. A quick look at him and he knew that Clark would want nothing but the truth. “You've given your life to serving God, and what did that get you?”

“Well, Tucker, it got us through a storm. It helped us heal. Our faith gave us something to hold onto. Yes, we were angry. We were hurt. We felt let down. We can feel those things and still have faith.”

“I wish I had met you a long time ago, Clark.”

“No such thing as too late, if that's what you're thinking.” Clark stopped walking. The snow was coming down hard, and in the distance Tucker heard the choppy sound of a helicopter. “Where are you heading?”

“Coffee for Penelope.”

“How is she?”

“Good, I guess.”

“I think she would have stayed out in the cabin all winter.”

“I think she would have driven you crazy if that had happened.” He knew she would have driven
him
crazy…or something.

Clark laughed. “No, she wouldn't have driven us crazy. Watching her come to life was like watching a child take their first steps. She's a pretty special young woman.”

A sentence loaded with meaning, and Tucker wasn't biting. Clark and Wilma had fallen into the trap of matchmaking.

Instead of responding, he dug out the wallet that had been dormant for months. He still had cash, but he figured that his credit cards were probably frozen.

They walked to a small refreshment stand. Tucker strolled up to the Formica-topped counter and ordered coffee to go.

Suddenly lights flashed across the ground from a beam from the sky. He knew who was in that helicopter. He watched the lights skim across the night sky.

“Here's your coffee.” The girl slid the cup across the countertop, but her eyes were on the helicopter. “Who do you think is riding in that? Did they have to call in a life flight for someone?”

“No, it isn't medical. It's here to pick someone up.” He picked up the cup of coffee.

People were running in the direction of the lot where the helicopter had landed. The blades were still beating the air. Probably the most excitement this village had
seen in a while. Most of them probably didn't know who Herman Lear was, but it didn't matter much. The man had come to get his daughter.

T
he helicopter flew over, its spotlight hitting the snowy ground. Penelope shuddered and hunkered down in her coat. She wished she had that coffee Tucker had promised. She could really use the warmth of that coffee. A soft hand rubbed her back. She smiled up at Wilma.

“You'll be home in no time flying in that thing.”

Penelope nodded. “I know.”

“Oh, honey, they've been worried about you. Give them that pretty smile of yours.”

“I'm not ready to go back home. I'm not ready to leave…” She sniffed. This was so embarrassing. “I'm not ready to leave you and Clark.”

“Well, we aren't going to lose each other. I plan on seeing you every chance I get.”

Penelope reached for Wilma's hand. “I won't let you forget that promise.”

Outside the hall, people were running across the open lot. Penelope wouldn't have run, even if she could. Instead, she continued to watch that crowd, looking for a familiar face that she shouldn't have been looking for. She hadn't seen her parents in several weeks. She should
have been looking for their faces in the crowd, thinking about them.

And she was. But thinking about her parents left her stomach unsettled, twisting in knots.

The face she'd been searching for appeared out of the dark shadows, stepping into the streetlight. He held a a cup of coffee. Tall, his shoulders were broad beneath his parka. The hood was pushed back. He was all man. She couldn't begin to picture him suited up in the courtroom. She liked him this way, in faded jeans, plaid and that big heavy parka. His hair was a little long, a little windswept. He hadn't shaved in days.

She wasn't cold anymore.

She wasn't afraid.

He walked through the door, bringing brisk air and the aroma of coffee. “Honey, I'm home.”

She laughed a little and then tears started to drip down her cheeks. She wiped them away, wishing she wasn't such a baby. Why in the world was she crying? She didn't have a reason to be sad. They'd made it out safely. She was going home. Tucker set the cup down on the table. She really wanted that coffee.

“Hey, why are you crying now? Tomorrow you'll be back in Anchorage having a spa day with the girls.”

“Who said I'm going back?” The tears dried up and she sat a little straighter. “Seriously, who said I need spa days?”

“I just thought that after this, you'd be tired of adventure.”

“Are you jetting off to Seattle tomorrow?”

“No, I have business to take care of in Treasure Creek.”

“Well, so do I.”

He handed her the cup of coffee and sat down in the chair across from her, moving her foot to the side a little. “Go home, Pollyanna. Go back with your parents. Let them take care of you. They've been worried sick. I talked to Jake and he said they had search teams, planes and helicopters looking for you.”

“I know they've missed me. I know they were worried. I'm not selfish. I just…” She sipped the coffee before going on. “I love Treasure Creek. I love being a part of that town.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.”

She loved walking down the street and being greeted by people. She loved the church bells that rang on Sunday mornings, and people telling her they'd pray for her. And they meant it.

But Tucker didn't want to hear a long, rambling explanation of why she loved Treasure Creek. Like every man in her life, he was ready to ditch her and get back to work.

She pulled her coat closer around her body and waited for her parents to reenter her life. The hall was brightly lit by overhead fluorescents that glared off the white tile floor. She blinked a few times and watched the glass door. Tucker stood up, patting her shoulder as he moved away. She could hear people talking outside. They were closer. And then she saw them hurry past the windows.

Tucker touched her arm. “Don't worry, I'm not going to forget you.”

The door opened and her parents rushed in. Her
mother was bundled in fur. Her father's black coat swished, dropping moisture as he entered the room.

“Penelope.” Her mom pushed past him, grabbing her up in a hug. Penelope hugged her back. She knew they loved her. She knew it. Their lives had just always been so busy.

As much as she'd told herself it wouldn't matter, she felt it suddenly, missing them and being glad for them.

“Mom, I'm sorry.”

“What were you thinking?” Herman Lear's voice boomed. She looked up, meeting blue eyes the same color as her own. He didn't smile, he just shook his head as if he expected something like this from her.

What had she been thinking? It had been days since she'd made the plan. She'd been thinking that she, Penelope Lear, could single-handedly save Treasure Creek. And instead, she had to be saved.

She looked past her dad, searching the room for a familiar face. He was at the back of the crowd, near the door. When he winked, she smiled back and it felt good.

He wouldn't forget her. Maybe they'd even talk from time to time. She let herself believe he meant that. But didn't people always make those promises? She couldn't begin to name college friends that she'd promised to keep in contact with. Now she couldn't even remember their names.

“Let's go home.” Her dad reached for her arm. She stood, not putting weight on her ankle. “Easy, kiddo.”

Kiddo?

“I can't go home.” She accepted the crutches the doctor held out to her.

“You're going home.”

“I want to go back to Treasure Creek. I left my stuff there. I have people I want to see.”

“In that little town?”

“Yes, Dad, in that little town.”

“Penelope, your life is not in that town. Your life is with us, and with a good husband.”

“That you pick.” This wasn't the way she wanted to spend a reunion with her parents, with her dad. He had that hard look on his face, the one he wore at the office. He was all business. People were watching, listening.

“I don't want to do this, Dad.” She whispered with her head down, hoping they could at least get to the privacy of the helicopter.

“You haven't picked one for yourself.”

Her gaze shifted to the man she'd spent the last week with. No, she hadn't picked. But she'd done a lot of praying and she'd done a lot of soul searching as she considered her future. She took a few steps. “Is there room for the Johnsons and Mr. Lawson to fly back to town with us?”

Her dad shrugged, as if it didn't matter. “I suppose. Now, come on. Your mother is exhausted. She's been worried sick.”

“I'm sorry.” She looked around the room, with its two desks and scattered chairs. “Wilma, are you and Clark ready to go back to Treasure Creek?”

“Oh, no, honey.” Wilma patted her arm. “We have a room for the night. We're staying with the pastor,
and he's taking us back tomorrow. We're not in any hurry.”

Penelope felt her heart lurch. She wanted them with her. Needed them. But she knew that Wilma needed to rest. It made perfect sense that they wouldn't want to jump into the helicopter and rush off into the night.

A hand touched hers. She turned, expecting her father, expecting anyone but Tucker Lawson. “I'll ride back with you.”

“You don't have to.”

“I know, but I'm ready to get back to Treasure Creek. When I talked to Jake, he kept going on and on about how great love is. I doubt I can talk him out of getting married, so I should at least be there for him.”

“He's happy. This isn't some devastating event you have to nurse him through.”

Tucker smiled a half grin and winked. “I know he's happy. More power to him, as long as it isn't catching.”

“I'm afraid there's something contagious in Treasure Creek.” But she wouldn't catch it either.

Tucker opened the door for her and they walked together into the cold night air, toward the waiting helicopter. Her parents hurried ahead of them, heads bent against the wind and steady fall of snow.

“Need me to carry you?” Tucker offered, and at first she thought he was joking, but he stopped and he looked as if he would really do it, as if he would pick her up and rush her toward the waiting helicopter.

“I'm good.”

“Suit yourself.”

She would suit herself. She told him so, and he
laughed as they climbed the steps of the helicopter. Once inside, they were separated by her parents. She glanced in his direction, but he was looking out the window. He was already forgetting her.

 

The helicopter landed in Treasure Creek. People waited a short distance away. Red lights flashed through the night sky. As they hurried down the steps, Jake rushed forward, toward them. Gage was a short distance behind. Tucker exhaled a huge sigh of relief. He was done running. Time to face…life.

“Buddy, we've been worried sick about you.” Jake clasped his hand and then pulled him close in a bear of a hug, patting his back hard. “What in the world happened?”

“Long story, one I'll be glad to share. Tomorrow.”

“That's good to hear, Lawson, because I need a full report.” Police Chief Reed Truscott said, the city cop. Tucker nodded and shook the man's extended hand. “I know it's been a long three days, but tomorrow I'd like for you to stop by my office. We've had a lot of people searching for you.”

“I'm sorry about that Reed. I know it cost the town, and I'll be glad to help with the expense.” His gaze followed the retreating back of Penelope Lear as she was hustled away by her family. “I need to tell you about a problem we had out at the lodge.”

“What's that?” Reed walked next to him, Jake on the other side. Tucker would prefer to talk about his friend's relationship with Casey. That would have to wait until the situation with Penelope was dealt with.

An oil man like Jake and a tomboy tour guide. Tucker
shook his head and then pulled his thoughts back on the track they'd derailed from. “Someone was at the cabin. They showed up at about the same time as Penelope Lear. I'm not sure what they wanted, and we never saw anything more than tracks, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with her.”

“We'll keep an eye on her.” Reed's smile faded. “This treasure map situation has blown this town apart. I know Amy had good intentions when she talked to that re porter about Treasure Creek, and the people that article has brought into town have been a Godsend, but I could just about do without all the drama and the people trying to get their hands on that map.”

“Why would you think this has to do with the map?”

“Well, everyone figured Penelope went off in search of that treasure. She got a look at the map and hightailed it out of here. Not that she needs a treasure.”

“Exactly. So maybe whoever it was sneaking around decided it would be easier to take Penelope Lear for ransom than to search for a treasure that might not exist.”

Jake whistled. “Wow, I wouldn't have thought of that.”

Tucker shot his friend a look. “It makes sense to me.”

“Maybe it's one of the men her dad targeted as a husband wanting to get an idea of what kind of trouble she'd be.” Jake kind of laughed, but Tucker knew the truth. Old man Lear had approached Jake as well as Tucker.

“She isn't trouble, she's just…”

Reed and Jake both looked at him, waiting for him to finish. He didn't have a word to finish the thought. At least not one he wanted to share.

“She's high-maintenance,” Jake supplied, his brows shooting up.

When was the last time he'd hit Jake? Tucker tried to remember. It seemed like they might have been about sixteen, and Jake had smarted off and grinned, a little like the way he was grinning at that very moment. Tucker clenched his fist and relaxed it. Jake was still grinning.

“I'm going to my dad's.”

Reed stopped him. “I need more information about what happened out there, Tucker.”

“Yeah, I can do that. Would tomorrow be okay? I haven't slept in a few days.”

“Tomorrow would be good.”

“Need a ride?” Jake offered as Reed walked away toward a patrol car that was idling near the fire station.

The town was lit with a few flickering streetlights and the full moon. It was a quaint little place, just a dot on the map now, but it had once been a boomtown. He had run as fast he could from these towns a dozen or so years earlier.

This had been the last place he wanted to be. The last place he wanted his dad to be. He had a bad habit of running from the things he didn't want to face. He'd run from his dad's broken heart. He'd run from his own guilt back in Seattle.

“I can walk.”

“A mile? In this cold?”

“Yeah, I'll take a ride.” Tucker followed Jake across the deserted street, past the community church where Penelope had found faith a couple of weeks earlier, and past Lizbet's Diner. Lights glowed inside the diner, just enough to leave it all in shadows. The white letters stood out on the darkened window.

Snow fell a little heavier. Tucker pulled the collar of his jacket up and picked up his pace. He was about ready to be warm. It felt as if it had been weeks since he'd really been warm.

“What happened out there?” Jake asked as they got into his waiting truck.

Tucker clicked the seat belt and shrugged. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, what were you looking for? What did you find?”

Not peace, that's for sure. “I don't know. Answers, I guess. And what I found was an older couple looking for God, and then Penelope showed up.”

“Yeah, that's the part I'm wondering about. What happened to you out there?”

“Nothing happened. I didn't really find peace. And the last week has been a royal pain.”

“I bet she has.”

“This isn't about her. Look, I'm happy that you've relinquished your man card in favor of a happy-ever-after card, but don't try to take mine. I'm still happily single. I didn't bite that hook when Herman Lear called me, and I'm not biting now. There's more to her than I would have imagined. But I'm not husband material. I work a lot of hours, and when I do head in that direction, I'm looking for someone…”