Riverbend Gap, page 22
Beth and Lisa seemed to be getting on, however. Earlier this week Katie had caught Lisa’s WPBR interview, promoting Trail Days. Everything was progressing just fine without Katie apparently. She should be used to being the odd man out, but strangely it hurt even worse this time around, when she’d been within arm’s reach of what she longed for.
She closed her eyes against the sting, the image of Cooper forming behind her lids. Those deep-set brown eyes—the way they smiled just before his mouth did. The way they looked at her as if she was everything he’d ever wanted.
She allowed the memory of their kiss to wash over her like a warm rain shower. The mesmerizing ardor in his gaze as he leaned into her. The exquisite gentleness of his touch as he cupped her face. The bold desperation of his lips as they moved over hers. Her fingertips tingled as she remembered the silky softness of his hair.
She opened her eyes, breaking off the sweet memory, her pulse thrumming in her veins. What she’d give for one more kiss.
But there was no point in thoughts like that. Out of sight, out of mind was clearly not working. It was doing quite the opposite actually. Something had to give—but she had no idea what that was.
Resolved to making the best of things, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. After weeks of being sequestered she was eager to get outside and be around people again. The town was filled with tourists, and it would be easy to get lost in the crowd.
Autumn had swept from the mountaintops down into the valley. The hills around town burst with autumnal colors, and the loamy aroma of earth scented the air.
Katie drew in a whiff of fall as she entered the throng of people on Main Street. A thrill of pride coursed through her. The streets were packed. Crowds gathered around the booths set up in the grassy town square. On the far side of the lawn, lines snaked from food trucks. People milled about, enjoying caramel apples, elephant ears, and turkey drumsticks as they listened to the band on the stage. The rousing country music and colorful flag banners created a celebratory backdrop while the tempting smell of fair food beckoned the hungry.
Along Main Street people wandered into the stores and restaurants. The event seemed to be a huge success. Hopefully the income stream for the weekend would be enough to make up for the loss of revenue from the temporarily rerouted trail. Hopefully the town would go on thriving.
After spending so much time at home, Kate welcomed the diversion of the festivities. She found a game booth, manned by a teenager she didn’t recognize. She was no good at archery, apparently, as a boy of about ten thrashed her. She was better at rock painting and got to take her work of art with her.
On the other side of the square, Gavin was atop the dunking booth, shivering on the stand, having clearly been dunked already. It was the first time Katie had seen him since the breakup, and it warmed her heart to see him smiling.
Avery’s high ponytail swung as she wound up and delivered a fast pitch. It just missed the target. Gavin laughed as she taunted him. It seemed the brother and sister had made up. Maybe Katie hadn’t totally destroyed the family after all.
Avery delivered another pitch. This one hit the target, and Gavin dropped into the tank with a splash she couldn’t hear from this distance. Avery gave a loud whoop.
A smile tugged at Katie’s lips even as that familiar hollow feeling swelled in her chest. She turned the opposite direction, her breaths coming quickly. Okay. She’d seen them, and she lived through it. The family would be fine—that was all that mattered.
She needed a distraction. She stopped at a small stage that had been set up for guest speakers. A crowd had gathered and Katie soon saw why. The man with the red-tipped cane drew her in with his stories and inspiring attitude. He was the only blind man to have ever completed the Appalachian Trail. When he was finished the crowd offered thunderous applause.
By now Katie’s stomach was rumbling, so she wandered over to the food trucks and bought an elephant ear. She walked the busy street, enjoying the sweet treat, working the bakery tissue down. She moved aside for a passing family. The couple’s little girl struggled with her snow cone and a wooden walking stick she must’ve won at a game booth. The woman took the walking stick, then the dad swung the girl onto his shoulders, securing her legs with his strong arms.
Katie glanced around, suddenly conscious of families everywhere. A retired couple chatting at a booth. A family with three boys at the wheelbarrow races. A couple strolling down the street, a balloon tied to the baby stroller’s handle.
Katie was only half finished with her elephant ear, but the confection suddenly felt heavy in her stomach. She stopped by a trash can to throw the rest away, dabbing a napkin at the powdered sugar she probably had all over her mouth. As she tossed the napkins away a familiar laugh drew her attention.
Just across the way Lisa worked a booth, assisting an author with a book signing. Lisa opened a book and slid it toward the author as she chatted merrily with a customer. Beth flanked the author’s other side, taking the money. The trio chuckled.
There they were: Katie’s birth mom and the woman she’d begun to think of as her surrogate mother. They seemed to be having such a good time together.
And Katie was officially on the outside looking in, just like in her dream.
As if suddenly alerted to Katie’s presence, Lisa’s gaze darted in Katie’s direction. She ducked behind the garbage can, her heart rate skyrocketing. Had Lisa seen her staring? Katie closed her eyes, wishing she could disappear. She never should’ve come today.
When she opened her eyes she focused on a pair of familiar black shoes, positioned only a few feet away in the grass.
39
The festivities were pretty tame so far. Cooper had taken extra hours to cover the event, wanting to stay busy. The starchy uniform was hot under the heat of the afternoon, but the distractions of familiar faces made time pass quickly.
He’d just finished chatting with a campaign donor when he spotted Katelyn on a curb near the craft booths. The sun glinted off her wavy blonde hair. She’d paired her white shorts—his personal favorite—with a pale-blue top that showed off her tan. She was a sight for sore eyes. Inexorably drawn to her, he headed that direction.
He hadn’t seen her since the day he’d kissed her four weeks ago, but he’d thought of her a million times. Wondered how she was doing. If she ever thought of him. If she hated him. Because while the locals seemed to have exonerated him for betraying his brother, he wasn’t sure they’d absolved Kate. He’d hoped that keeping his distance would rectify that, but he was beginning to wonder if it was enough.
As he neared she ducked behind the garbage can. He stopped, glancing the direction she’d been staring. Across the way his mom and Beth worked a booth together.
His gaze returned to Kate, still squatting—hiding, really—behind the garbage can. A vise tightened around his heart. She’d lost everyone she cared about and it was all his fault. If only he’d been able to control his feelings . . . If only he hadn’t kissed her.
But he had and now his whole family had spurned her. Cooper had hardly spoken with Gavin since their argument at their parents’ house, but according to Avery his brother hadn’t spoken with Kate since the breakup. His mom and Jeff also seemed to be holding a grudge. Even Avery was still upset with her friend, though she claimed to be behaving at work.
But how bad must things be for Kate if she felt the need to hide?
Her head came up, her lashes lifting as she followed the line of his legs all the way up to his face. She shielded her eyes from the sun and rose slowly to her feet.
A pretty blush bloomed in her cheeks and she bit her lip. A wisp of hair blew across her face.
His fingers twitched with the need to tuck it back into place. When those blue eyes fixed on him, his heart flopped in his chest. “Hi, Kate.”
“I was—I was just . . .” Her gaze fell to the ground, and she squatted to pick up a napkin. “I dropped this.” She tossed the trash in the can.
“How’ve you been?” he asked.
“Fine. Great! I’m great. How are you?”
Pain unfurled in his chest at her forced enthusiasm. “I’ve been better.”
Her smile faltered. “It’s almost Election Day. How are the polls looking?”
His campaign had taken a hit from the rumors. “Not great, I’m afraid. But Avery scheduled me for the closing speech tomorrow since half the county’s here. I guess she’s hoping the last-ditch effort will be enough to save the campaign.”
Her eyes filled with something more real. Sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Cooper.”
“Come on, now. It’s not your fault.”
“Only it is—a little bit.”
He shook his head. “I don’t see it that way, Kate. Whatever’s meant to happen will happen.” Surprisingly, the sentiment rang true.
“Nobody deserves that position more than you.”
Warmth flushed through him. He still wanted her. He wanted to pull her close right now and claim her as his own. Only thoughts of Gavin anchored his arms at his sides.
“Thank you.” He’d have to satisfy himself with polite conversation. And in fact, he was hungry for the details of her life. “How are things progressing with your mother?”
Kate dug up a bright smile, glancing over her shoulder. “They’re fine! Really good.”
But if that were true, why had she ducked at the sight of his mom and Beth? He made a mental note to speak to his mom. Now that things had blown over a bit, there was no reason she couldn’t reach out to Kate. Likewise, Avery needed to let the woman off the hook. If anyone deserved a little grace, it was Kate.
“And work?” he asked. “How’s that going?”
His radio chirped and the dispatcher’s voice came through. “Disturbance near the Trailhead Bar and Grill at the corner of Main and Walnut. Requesting immediate assistance.”
“You’re busy.” Kate’s smile wobbled as she backed away. “I should let you get back to it.”
“Kate . . .” There were so many things he wanted to say. None of them wise. None of them appropriate.
“Have a good day, Cooper. Good luck on Tuesday.” She gave one more dazzling smile, then turned and made her way between two booths. And then she was gone.
Cooper responded to the dispatcher, then headed toward the disturbance on foot as he was only a couple blocks away. While he walked he couldn’t seem to get Kate out of his head. She was a poor liar. That overly bright smile wouldn’t fool anyone, least of all him.
The crowded streets took a while to navigate, but soon he reached the corner, and it didn’t take him long to see the problem. A fight had broken out right outside the restaurant. Cooper wove through the crowd that had gathered and when he broke through, his steps faltered at the familiar face.
His father had gained weight, adding to his stocky build. He now wore his gray hair in a crew cut, giving his face an intimidating bulldog look. His brown eyes, though, were like an older reflection of Cooper’s.
His heart jackknifed in his chest. What was he doing back in town?
His father swung sloppily at another man, who easily dodged the fist. “I want my money!” his dad slurred, grabbing the man’s shirt. “You owe me.”
The man pushed him off with great effort. “I don’t owe you nothing. Get away from me.”
Cooper’s father went after the guy.
Cooper shook himself from his stupor. “Deputy sheriff. That’s enough!” He leaped forward and grabbed his dad by the back of the shirt.
His father fought for release.
“I said that’s enough!” Cooper gripped his dad in a hold. “It’s me, Dad. Settle it down.”
Lonnie, the owner of Trailhead Bar and Grill, approached with a frown pulling his brows tight. “Your dad wrecked my bar. I’m pressing charges.”
“I’m sorry. We’ll get it sorted out.”
The man looked less than impressed with his assurance. “You’d better. There’s at least two thousand dollars’ worth of damage in there.”
“I said we’ll sort it out.”
With one last scowl at Cooper’s dad, Lonnie stalked back into the restaurant.
His father struggled against him. “Let me go! I wanna go.”
“Cool it,” Cooper said firmly. “I mean it.”
“He owes me money! I won that bet.”
Cooper took in the crowd gathered around. “All right, folks, excitement’s over. Move along now.”
“I won that bet fair and square. He ripped me off!”
The crowd started to disperse. “We’ll figure it out. Now, will you settle down, or do you want to do this the hard way?”
His father stopped struggling, his breaths heaving against Cooper’s chest. He reeked of whiskey and desperation.
“Let’s do this without cuffs, all right, Dad?” He slowly released his father, who wavered on his feet.
“Where are you taking me?” Dad yelled. “Am I under arrest?”
“We’re just going to take a little breather. Let you sober up a little.”
“I’m not drunk!”
“Don’t lie to me!”
“It wasn’t my fault. He wouldn’t pay me—he owes me money!”
Cooper regretted not driving his cruiser because now he had to walk two blocks with his drunk, loudmouthed father. The judgmental stares took him right back to childhood. They were only tourists, but he recognized plenty of faces.
Cooper wasn’t responsible for his father’s actions. He was just a deputy doing his job. He loved this town—his town. But people could be fickle, their feelings and opinions manipulated by rumors and falsehoods. He didn’t have anything to prove to them. He was square with God—if not with Gavin . . . or the county at large.
It was enough that he tried to do the right thing. He’d devoted his life to upholding the law, for crying out loud. How much more esteemed did he need to be? If being a deputy didn’t mute the internal whisper telling him he was unworthy of respect, becoming a sheriff wouldn’t either.
Cooper stopped at a crosswalk, a firm grip on his dad’s arm. The man wavered, pointing. “I know that guy! Hey, I know that guy!”
Cooper glanced in the direction he pointed—a sea of faces, only one of them familiar. The light changed and Cooper tugged his father along. “Come on, we’re almost there.”
By the end of the day word would be all over Riverbend that Craig Burton was back in town. Maybe it would remind everyone exactly where sheriff-candidate Cooper Robinson had really come from.
But Cooper knew who he was now—and he was not his father.
“Is it true?” Gavin said as he entered the sheriff’s office. He wore the same frown he’d sported last time Cooper had seen him.
“He’s in lockup, sobering up.”
Gavin’s expression went a shade darker. “What’s he doing back in town?”
“Who knows. Lonnie Purdy’s going to press charges though. Dad caused a fight at the Trailhead and there are damages.”
“Great.”
Cooper pushed back from his desk. “Don’t worry about it. You can go back to the festival. I’ll handle Dad.”
Gavin pinned Cooper with a long, unswerving look.
Cooper squirmed under his brother’s perusal. He was almost afraid to ask. “What?”
“You’ve had quite the month.”
Cooper gritted his teeth. He really didn’t need this today. Gavin wasn’t wrong though. How much bad luck could one guy have—and all of it leading right up to Election Day?
The thought gave him pause. Was it all just a coincidence? Megan coming to town, accusing him of impregnating her, only to disappear again? Someone catching him kissing Kate and posting the photo on his campaign site? His troublemaking dad turning up in town only days before the big vote?
Too many coincidences. And he couldn’t see Megan instigating all this. But he could see someone else doing it. Someone who stood to gain plenty from trashing Cooper’s reputation. And the very person who could help Cooper verify his suspicions was currently in the tank.
Cooper’s whole body tensed. He pushed back the chair, strode out of his office, and crossed the hall. His dad was slumped on the bench, drifting off.
Cooper scowled at him. “Why did you come here?”
Dad squinted up at him. “You—you brought me here. Didn’t you?”
“Not to jail. Back here, to Riverbend. You’ve been gone a long time. Why come back now?”
Cooper tried to bury the part of himself that hoped the answer might have something to do with missing his sons. But there it was, lingering just under the surface.
Gavin shuffled to a stop beside him. “What’s going on?”
His father’s eyes fluttered shut.
“Dad! Why did you come back?”
“I didn’t wanna. But the man—the man gave me a hundred bucks.”
Cooper’s gaze connected with Gavin’s, holding for a long beat.
“What man?” Gavin asked his father.
“I don’t know. Don’t remember.”
Cooper tightened his jaw. His breaths felt stuffed in his chest. He strode back to the office, to his desk, and leaned over his computer. He pulled up a website, found what he was searching for, and hit Print.
“What’s going on?” Gavin had followed him back to the office. “Who’s he talking about?”
The printer went through its operation, then spit out the copy. Cooper snatched it up. As he passed his brother, he held up the photo. “This one.”
“Sean Curtis? Why would he—?”
Cooper carried the photo to the cell where his father was drifting off again. “Dad, wake up. Look at this.”
“What? What happened? Where am I?”
“I need you to look at this photo. Is this the guy who paid you to come back to town?”
His father blinked as if trying to focus on the picture.
“Is that him, Dad?” Gavin asked. “The man who paid you to come back to town?”
“Look closely. It’s important.”
Their father blinked his swollen eyes. “Don’t remember. Hundred bucks. Same as that bet. Didn’t get my money.” His eyelids fluttered shut.
