Christmas in Coyote County Read online

  Libby blanched. “But that’s the day before Christmas Eve. How can she do this to her?”

  “She’s just doing what’s best.”

  At home, Libby stomped in the door and threw her jacket on the sofa. Zoe, her orange striped cat pounced on the wooly lining and began kneading a cozy nest for herself.

  Libby sighed and sat down, coaxing the feline from the fabric folds and into her lap, where the cat snuggled and began to purr. Libby hugged the cat tighter and let go of the tears that burned her eyelids. “I’m telling you, Zoe, that niece of Maddie’s is making a terrible mistake. Poor Maddie. This will break her heart.” The ball of fur purred in agreement.

  Wiping away her tears, she sat up straight and stroked the ears of the upturned orange head, smiling into its trusting golden eyes. “I’m not going to let her do it, Zoe.” Libby breathed. “I don’t know how I’m going to stop her, but I will. And I’ve got until Christmas Eve.”

  ****

  Jackson’s modest office was lit by a bare bulb that cast shadows across the room.

  The dingy gold and green wallpaper was water stained and hung in several curled strands.

  Libby’s fingers itched to rip the ragged coils from the wall. But what if someone came in and caught her at it?

  The only window was located behind an old desk stacked with papers, a laptop computer, several jars of pencils, and a small lighted Christmas tree. The glass panes were heavy with condensation and appeared to have last been washed before March of 1995, if one were to treat the calendar hanging over the bottom section as proof.

  “Libby?”

  She turned. A tall blonde woman in a county deputy uniform was standing in the doorway with two Styrofoam cups of steaming coffee.

  “Dana Martin? I had no idea that you were still living here, much less working as a deputy.”

  “Well, it’s Dana Lewis, now.” She laughed. “I married Doug Lewis.”

  Libby wrapped her arms around Dana in a close hug, despite the cups of coffee she held. “You almost caught me committing a crime,” she admitted, taking one of the coffees and testing its contents with a sip.

  Dana laughed and leaned against the desk. “What are you talking about?”

  Libby nodded towards the wall. “I’ve been resisting pulling off those strands.”

  Dana rolled her eyes. “That would hardly be a crime. More an act of mercy. I’m not sure how Jack stands it. Besides, aren’t you some sort of interior decorator?”

  Libby nodded and took another sip. “I was a consultant for an interior design company in Denver for three years. Now, I have a website and do the same job online. It works pretty well and leaves me a lot of free time to pursue other things. Like the chance to be on the Christmas parade committee this year. Three more days before we see how well the planning went. You’re coming, aren’t you?”

  “Are you kidding? Everyone is. And to the party afterwards, of course.” Dana’s smile faded. “Hey, I’m sorry about your husband. I didn’t know about it when it happened or I would have sent you a note. Are you doing OK?”

  Libby shrugged and nodded. “Thank you. It took a while, but I’ve adjusted.” Her life with Ben wasn’t a subject she wanted to discuss. “So, do you have children?” Another painful subject. Ben hadn’t objected to children until after they were married.

  Dana’s eyes lit up. “Two boys. They’re four and six. I have pictures on my desk. Stop by when you leave.”

  Libby looked at her watch. “That meeting with the mayor must be going overtime. I guess I could just leave a message for him. Nothing too important.” It would make a perfect excuse to escape before she encountered Jackson face to face again.

  Dana put her coffee on the desk. “I heard about the excitement last night.”

  Libby took a blank piece of paper and a pen from the desk. “That’s really what I’m here about. I went to see Maddie this morning, but she was napping. Mrs. Felton was there and said she was OK. Jackson just wanted me to let him know how she was doing.”

  A smile tugged at Dana’s face. “He does have a phone, you know. He could have called her.”

  Libby’s eyes narrowed as she looked up. “Don’t start any rumors, or I’ll remember where they came from,” she warned, half-teasing, half-serious.

  Dana shrugged and laughed. “My lips are sealed. But you gotta know that people are already talking, now you’re both back in town.”

  Libby swallowed hard and folded the note. Was that the real reason he hadn’t been out to see her?

  “I hear they’ve already been talking. And not about me and Jackson,” she said. The bitterness in her tone hinted at the pain in a way words couldn’t express.

  Her friend’s smile vanished. “Nobody that knows you puts much stock in those kind of lies, Libby. It’s just an easy way for them to have someone to talk about. I’ve heard Jack cut off a conversation about that very subject.”

  Libby stood straighter and put the note on a stack of folders. “Really?”

  Dana nodded. “I’m sure it brings back some old feelings for him. I mean, after his dad was the main suspect in that bank robbery years ago, he knows what it’s like to live with nasty gossip.”

  Libby took a last sip from her cup. “It’s such a shame that his father died with suspicion still hanging over him. I can’t believe there hasn’t been any progress in the case. Somebody has been sitting on that money for a long time.”

  Dana stacked the cups and tossed them in the trash can. “Some cases never get solved. But it would be nice for Jack if this one did. He’s a good sheriff. And folks were sure glad to see him come back after all these years. You know how much everyone here thinks of him. That touchdown in the Coyote-Burrville game is still legend around here. Probably comes up at least once a week down at the Coyote Café.”

  Libby smiled. “Everyone at that game will always remember that play. He really put us on the map that night.”

  Dana sighed. “He and his mom left town so quickly after his dad died. Not that anyone blames them. I wouldn’t have stayed, either. Who could live with all those guarded looks from people?”

  Libby took her purse from the chair and shoved back the memories. Jackson had broken her heart when he’d moved with barely a word. A couple of phone calls and three letters later, everything was over between them.

  “Tell him I dropped by, and that I left Maddie’s number on the note.” Jackson was the sheriff—he could find out about Maddie easily without her.

  As she moved to the doorway, she squeezed Dana’s arm affectionately. “Thank you,” Libby said. “For not listening to rumors.” She forced a pleasant smile to her face. “Now, let’s go look at those pictures before I leave.”

  ****

  Jed’s Grocery appeared to be the last stop of the day for working moms. Libby grabbed a basket and eased her way through the throng of shoppers to reach the aisles in the back. She sidestepped a jar of strawberry jam a toddler smashed to the floor. The child’s mother grabbed the little culprit and deposited him in the cart. A stocker picked up an intercom-phone and called for clean up on aisle four.

  “Well, hello there!”

  Libby turned and was greeted by Maddie’s smiling face. She was wearing her best Sunday dress and had her long gray hair neatly coiled into a bun. The grocery cart she was pushing held a few canned goods and a sack of potatoes. Mrs. Felton was behind her, busy sorting through the display of onions.

  “I hear you came to see me this morning. Sorry I was asleep. It took forever to settle down after all the excitement.”

  Libby breathed a sigh of relief. She seemed her old self today. “I’m just glad you were able to get some rest. Those late hours can really take it out of you.”

  Maddie nodded and consulted the list in her hand. She picked up a bag of carrots and deposited them in her cart. “Paula put some more tape on that window until I can get it fixed. At least nothing will be looking in at me now,” she laughed.

  Libby grinned. “I’m sure y
ou scared it away for good!”

  Mrs. Felton dropped a bag of onions into the cart and nodded a hello. “Looks like we’ve got about everything, Maddie. No need to buy too much. You won’t be needing...I mean, we can get more next week. We’d better hurry before the pharmacy closes.”

  Libby shifted the shopping basket to her other arm and sent a pleading look to Mrs. Felton. How could she be so heartless? “It was nice seeing both of you. I’ll probably drop by tomorrow, Maddie.” With a heavy heart, she watched them retreat towards the front. It was obvious that she had no idea about the nursing home.

  ****

  Libby slowed as she approached Maddie’s house. On impulse, she pulled into the driveway and got out. Maddie and Mrs. Felton would be stuck in line at the pharmacy for a little while. It was a good chance for her poke around Maddie’s yard alone. The winter sun was waning, but a quick look around couldn’t hurt. A shame there hadn’t been a recent rain to reveal any footprints.

  The toe of her boot caught on something, and she glanced down to see a small piece of rope, approximately a foot long, frayed at both ends. It felt stiff, but seemed clean. She stuck it in her pocket and moved around to the side of the house. She knelt in front of the bushes, which grew against the porch. The tops of the shrubs were broken and torn, scattered on the ground.

  She sighed and pushed herself back up. Broken branches weren’t much of a clue. Maddie’s dog could have done the damage.

  So what was she looking for? An explanation that proved Maddie wasn’t seeing things? It would take more than bits and pieces of a damaged bush to prove that.

  ****

  Libby reached for her sack of groceries in the back of the truck when a movement caught her eye. No, not again! “Sparky! Sparky, get away from there!” she shouted. She abandoned the bag and ran towards her grandmother’s favorite rose bush.

  The dark brown goat grabbed one last bite and took off down the driveway at a fast pace.

  Libby fumed and stomped back to the truck. If that animal didn’t stay out of her yard, she wasn’t going to have any blossoms by spring. He’d already killed one neighbor’s butterfly bushes. Will Perry had better find a way to confine his pet.

  A small basket of brown eggs, along with a note, waited for her on the front porch. Unfolding the note, she read the words in slanted handwriting.

  Gone to Willmington. Please call me tomorrow. Cora Johnson. P.S. Enjoy the eggs.

  Maybe her old friend and neighbor, Cora, had heard the dire predictions for Maddie’s future, too. Libby tucked the message into her grocery sack. Cora had always been levelheaded; she would have some good advice about the situation.

  By seven she began rummaging around the fridge for something to eat, the makings for a quick sandwich since meals for one were uninspiring. A knock at the front door sent Zoe skittering into the kitchen and behind the pantry curtain, leaving her tail flicking behind her.

  Libby shut the refrigerator door. It was unusual for her to have company after dark. Her eyes settled on the .22 she’d propped against the wall. Don’t be silly, Libby.

  She turned on the porch light and looked through the peephole. Jackson?

  As if on cue, he grinned and winked. Her heart did a double somersault. Closing her eyes, she pressed her forehead against the door. No. It couldn’t be. It was just some sort of old reflex. No doubt the lack of sleep last night was causing her suddenly wobbly knees. She took a deep breath and opened the door. “Hi.” She instantly hated the slightly breathy tone that invaded her voice.

  “Hey there. Hungry? It’s Marko’s.” He was holding a pizza box.

  The smell of pepperoni greeted her nose. “As a matter of fact, I am,” she admitted reluctantly. Although the thought of a crisp slice of pizza was more than making up for the presence of a former sweetheart on her doorstep.

  “So…can I come inside?” His question was hesitant, almost boyish, making her feel guilty for leaving him standing in the cold so long.

  Her cheeks burned. “Of course. Sorry.” She moved aside, letting him brush past her and into the house.

  “Wow.” He stood in the center of the room. “It’s like stepping back in time. Everything is the same. Right down to the prints on the wall.”

  She laughed. “I know. I haven’t had the heart to change anything since I’ve moved back. It’s nice to have a familiar place to come home to.”

  He put the box on the coffee table and walked to the tree. “I remember when your grandma made these little star ornaments.” He fingered one of them, sending it spinning on its ribbon. “She sent a couple home to my mom. Still puts them on her tree every year.”

  She blinked back a sudden threat of tears. “I’m glad. It’s nice to know that there’s someone other than me that remembers her. I heard your mom moved to Florida. How does she like living there?”

  “She loves the weather, but sometimes I think she’d rather be here. Maybe I can talk her into moving back.” Drifting to the fireplace, he lifted a framed photograph from the mantel. “A lot of people remember your grandparents. I heard your grandpa’s name mentioned in a conversation at the café last week.”

  Zoe, sensing no danger, decided to put in an appearance, and meowed.

  Jackson glanced towards the sound, amusement tugging at his lips. “Don’t tell me that’s the same cat.” He walked over and scooped her up. “It looks just like old Beau.”

  “She does, doesn’t she? I found her on the road. People are bad about dumping animals out here.”

  He scowled. “I know. The county works hard to get as many to no-kill shelters as we can, but it’s not always possible.” He scratched behind the cat’s ears, and then lowered her gently to the floor.

  Libby moved to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “Tea or soda?”

  He leaned against the doorway. “Tea sounds good to me.”

  She poured the cold liquid into two tall glasses. “Plates?” she asked, opening a cabinet door.

  He grinned, turning on the faucet to wash his hands. “Let’s just be tacky and eat out of the box. I’m not in the mood to help with dishes.” Picking up the glasses, he carried them to the coffee table.

  “No problem,” she shrugged. “We’ll use cloth napkins. That will add a touch of refinement to the meal.”

  She considered sitting in a chair, but it would look ridiculous, as if she were avoiding him deliberately. Plopping down on the sofa next to him, she felt the heat from his arm when he reached in front of her for pizza. Instinctively, she leaned back.

  “I won’t spill any on you,” he teased.

  She glanced toward the Christmas tree as her cheeks flamed. “No…I just…”

  “How have you been, Libby?” His tone was serious, his gaze intense when she looked at him, forcing her to look away again.

  “OK,” she answered. “Fine, really. It was hard after Ben died, but it’s been over a year now.”

  There was silence for a moment, but she didn’t feel like saying anything else. Hoping he would get the hint, she lifted a slice from the box and took a bite.

  He cleared his throat, taking a sip of tea before speaking again. “I’ve thought about you a lot.”

  Her heart hit her stomach with a thud. She forced a smile to her lips despite the awkward thoughts crowding her head. Thoughts of the past that grew more vivid each time she revisited them.

  “I’ve thought about you, too,” she said, struggling to keep her voice casual. “Wondered how you were. I was surprised to see you’d come back home.”

  He hesitated. “I thought it was the right thing for me to do. After Dad died, I blamed a lot of people here. It was hard for him to live with the suspicion. The way he would catch people looking at him, watching him. It got to be too much.” His eyes locked with hers. “He didn’t take that money, Libby.”

  “I never thought he did,” she answered, softly. “Neither did grandma or grandpa. We knew he was innocent.” The pain in his face brought hot tears to her eyes. “I just wish t
here was some way that it could have been proved. I’m sorry that he died with the crime still unsolved.”

  He reached for another slice. “Someday the truth will come out. Somebody in this town is guilty.”

  She nodded. “It’s been thirteen years. It’s strange the money has never surfaced.”

  Jackson shrugged. “Dad was vice-president of the bank. I know he was an obvious suspect. Whoever took it hasn’t spent it. It’s still out there somewhere.” He met her eyes, a smile appearing on his face again. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up the past. So what did you find out at Maddie’s this morning?”

  She took another bite and swallowed. “Nothing good. Her niece is going to try to use this incident as an excuse to put her in a nursing home.”

  A look of shock crossed Jackson’s face. He dropped his second slice of pizza back in the box, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “Why would she do that?” he asked. “I mean, Maddie may have dreamed up a little green man, but she’s not crazy.”

  Libby shrugged. “Mrs. Felton was there this morning, and she said that Maddie’s niece has been thinking about it for a while, but didn’t have a good enough reason to do it. She’s going to take the police report to a doctor and then a judge.” Anger rose in her voice as she spoke. “The woman even has an appointment with the nursing home on Friday. I guess she’ll give Maddie the news on Christmas Eve.”

  He leaned back against the sofa, hands locked behind his neck as he stared at the fire. His expression told her he was thinking, something she remembered from long moments studying his face in the past.

  Twelve years had only improved the boy she’d loved back then. The crinkles around his sapphire eyes added character as did the new lines around his mouth. Even a sprinkling of gray on his sideburns managed to enhance his good looks.

  He seemed calm and assured of himself. Maybe he had finally made peace with the past. Even his own mistakes.

  A flurry of memories were swept aside by a fleeting image of Ben in her mind. She glanced away, arguing against the sensation of guilt. How could this be wrong? It wasn’t wrong. Ben had never loved her. A fact that had taken her a few years to figure out.