Authors: Kathleen Pieper
They both sat silently, listening to the wind slide through the branches. The people Maddy had been around the last 24 hours were something more than just passing faces. They were starting to mean something to her, she could identify with them. She found herself interested in their lives and hopes and problems as if it mattered to her. Complete strangers and it mattered.
"Everybody needs to feel appreciated, Tim, Bubba, me. We all work hard. But we all like to know there's someone who cares about what we do." Alec said, leaning back, turning his head to gaze at her intently.
"Even you?" She asked, and felt the heat of the look without opening her eyes. He chuckled and his arm slid around the back of the bench.
"Especially me, you know, even men need understanding."
"Even rough, tough, lawmen?" She countered.
"Yes," he answered patiently. "You know, you're quite a girl."
"I was a girl a long time ago." Maddy said softly, feeling the heat of his arm touching hers. Suddenly the bench seemed awfully snug. She pulled herself forward, "I should get going. After a morning like this it just seemed the right place to come."
"Was it rough going with Leland and the Omaha attorney?" Alec's voice was sincere.
"How did you know? I mean I didn't even know the attorney was coming in today?" She was astounded.
"Small towns are like party lines, word gets around fast. I heard it from two people and then Tim." He chuckled at the surprised look on her face.
"Well, did everyone tell you what was in the will, too?" She was a little miffed and stuffed her aunt's letter in her purse. Digging for her keys, she tried to keep her temper under control. She didn't know why she was upset. It was a good guess everyone would assume she was Aunt Madeline's heir. She just wasn't used to people knowing everything personal about her.
"No. Not really, a lot of guessing going on, though."
"I'll bet. Where are my darn keys?" She kept fumbling until he tapped her on the shoulder and handed them to her.
"They were under the bench, you must have dropped them."
Grabbing them in frustration, she shook her head and sighed, leaning forward. She shouldn't be mad at him or anyone. It was human nature to wonder. He sat quietly with legs outstretched, deep in thought.
She remembered something just then. He'd always been like that, intent. The look on that suntanned face, his blue eyes so expressive as he looked at her. He really hadn't changed a whole lot, she thought to herself, still rugged and stubborn and so darned handsome. It appeared since getting into law enforcement he's become more assertive, at least now she knew how sensitive he was, how he wanted and needed emotional support too.
"A whole lot of things make sense now, especially about my parents and the family stuff. My folks kept in touch with Aunt Madeline and they never said a word. She said she didn't want to depend on anyone or bother anyone. But she could have called on me, I would have come. She must have been so ill and she still didn't call."
"Aunt Polly asked her if there was anyone we could call and she said no, that her lawyer would take care of it. Just bury her where she could look down on the town. So, we did."
"I guess it's my turn to thank you for looking after her. She was lucky to live here, have friends like you. The whole town, it was more than her blood relatives gave her. I feel like I let her down." Suddenly the tears she'd held back let loose. "I feel like I should have done more." She blurted out and sniffled, accepting the white handkerchief he handed her. "Thank you. I hate it when I cry. It doesn't do any good," she said between tears.
Here she had come to have a talk with her great aunt and try and explain how she felt. Instead, she wound up confiding in Alec again. How was this happening? However it was playing out, she was glad he was there.
Alec gently drew her close until his arms encircled her. Holding her so easily, he hadn't realized how he'd ached to have her in his arms. The clock turned back and they were both fifteen again and in the throes of first love. He rested his head on her soft, hair that smelled of strawberries, remembering his fifteen year-old heartache when she left.
By the time Maddy realized what was happening it was too late. She couldn't remember the last time Larry, or anyone had held her so tenderly, so protectively. It made her uneasy to rely on someone she’d just met, but she had to admit it felt good.
She burrowed against his shoulder not wanting him to see her so vulnerable. This was now, not then, not junior high again. Did he just kiss her hair, or had she imagined that? It felt so good to relax, the last tear trickled down her cheek and she leaned into the khaki uniform with an ease that surprised her.
Putting her hands against his broad chest, she shook her head, an apology on her lips.
"I want you to know I don't usually fall apart like this. I don't know what got into me. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. We all have feelings. It's best not to ignore them." Alec murmured right back at her. "We have to handle them the best way we can." His voice was deep with emotion, a sensual hunger in his indigo blue eyes that had Maddy's heart stirring along with his. Bending his head slowly to kiss her, he caught himself and merely rested his stubbly cheek on hers.
Expelling a big sigh, Alec was content to just hold Maddy and comfort her. Oh, how he wanted to kiss her. He could see she needed time to forgive herself for whatever wrongs she felt she had committed. In his estimation, the guilt of not being here for her aunt was serious for her, but hardly fair. His gentle nudge brought her attention back to the present, back to him.
"Yes, but before you do, Alec, thank you." She smiled through tear-stained lashes.
"I had to do that." He whispered, his eyes smoldering.
"Now come on, before we get in over our heads around here. And right in front of your aunt, too."
"Hey, would you like to get a cold drink or something? It's mighty hot out here." Fanning himself with his hat he took her elbow and guided her through the soft, lumpy grass around the headstones.
She got into her car and he shut the door, resting his arms on the open window close to her face. "How about we get some lunch over at the Trucker's Heaven?"
"I've got a better idea. Why don't we go back to my aunt's? I mean the house, my house, and I'll make us something to eat. I don't feel like being out among people right now."
Eyes bright, he nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good, have you got stuff for sandwiches?"
"Gosh, I forgot, there's not much to fix at my place, haven't been to the grocery store yet. I've got Aunt Polly's coffeecake," she offered. "That's dessert anyway."
"No problem. Tell you what, I'll run through the fast food drive in and meet you there. Burgers and fries?"
"And a malt, I love my malts."
"Chocolate, if I recall. Some things never change." Alec smiled, leaning his forearms on the open window of her car.
She liked it that he remembered that about her. Gently Maddy put her hand on his forearm, tingling at the feel of his skin. The golden brown hair on his arms was curly and soft and she remembered how soft his hair was along the nape of his neck. The intimate thoughts were coming rapid fire and were intrusive. She had to snap out of it.
"You're being very kind, Deputy McKay."
"It's all in the line of duty, ma'am." The cocky grin surfaced again, "But I got to tell you, Miss Morris, I've never enjoyed my job so much as since you came to town."
This time Maddy didn't blush, instead her heart gave a funny flutter and she found herself wishing he'd kiss her again. He must have read her mind because he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. It was the first time the realization hit her, she was glad she came to this little town.
By the time Alec returned with food from the local drive in, Maddy had the table set with napkins and condiments and changed to jeans and a tee shirt.
"Well, knowing Leland, I'm sure he forgot to even offer you a cup of coffee back at his office. Working with him is no picnic." Swallowing the last drop of his iced tea, Alec sat back and stretched in his chair, watching her.
"Well, he did take me out for breakfast." She pointed a finger at him and laughed, "Remember?"
"Aw, he's not a bad sort, I guess," Alec began, holding his glass out for a refill. "It's just that he's always in the middle of things, always knows just a day ahead when something goes up for sale or someone's in trouble, I don't know. Maybe I'm jaded from working with crooks so much."
Thoughtfully Maddy sat cross-legged in her chair, filling her glass. "Well, where I come from, the big city, that's called being an astute businessman. Successful. What's wrong with that?"
Alec shrugged and looked around the kitchen before answering. "I don't know. Sometimes I think he's hedging, using his position on the city council and with his job, to profit somehow. But I guess you're right when maybe all he's doing is being a savvy businessman. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it, and I don't tell anyone this either, so keep it to yourself. Just don't let him talk you into anything, okay?"
"Aunt Polly's had dealings with him too. She also warned me about him last night." They grinned at each other. There was a comfortable awareness in being together that Maddy liked. She didn't understand it, but she liked it.
"I still don't know what I'm going to do yet, and there's all this to go through." There wasn't any conviction in her voice. Looking around she suddenly had an overwhelming feeling come over her, the house, all the things in it, were now legally, hers. It was up to her to figure things out, and the problem was getting bigger by the minute.
"So, I guess that means you'll have to stay at least for a little while to dispose of things." Alec said.
Maddy nodded, “Yes and I may need some help with the heavy stuff. You interested?”
"You bet." He chomped on another burger, grinning through pickles and mustard.
"I wound the grandfather clock this morning. I needed some noise in the house besides the local grain and news report. Sounds good, doesn't it?"
"So, you're kind of lonely living in a place like this?" He picked up the sandwich wrappers and drank the last of his drink.
"No, I'm used to being alone. Well, as alone as having a slightly neurotic best friend can be. I have an apartment in a high rise on Chicago's lakefront. It's nice but small. It's a lot smaller when my best friend Marie crashes with me. She dates a lot and right now she's at odds with her landlord, trying to save for her own place. I wanted to get a dog for company but they aren't allowed in the apartment. But, now I can do what I want. Hang pictures, paint the walls. Maybe get that dog.” Walking Alec to the back door she tucked her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and shrugged. "Honestly, listen to me, I'm just dreaming out loud."
"Well, nothing wrong with dreaming. I always wanted a dog too, a hunting dog, but I never had the time or place either, especially being single and working all the time." He turned and paused a moment. "
Maddy, I guess I should tell you something. I was married once, briefly, a long time ago. But you seem to know that."
"It's a small town, remember?" She said laughing.
"Well, I hope you don't think I'm butting in, but I'd sure like it if you stayed, at least for a while. I know you'd like the town, Nielsen is a friendly, quiet place but it's full of good people, mostly. Just think about it."
“
I will, but no promises. Oh, Alec, look out you’ll run into Aunt Polly.” Alec had been walking backward talking to Maddy and didn’t see Aunt Polly come up behind him.
“
Aunt Polly, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” Alec apologized.
"Land sakes, Alec. I'm not surprised since you weren't facing me. Well, you finally got a date. Tell her good by and get going. You're going to be late for work. And don't drive like this, for heaven's sake. They'll be peeling you off the pavement."
"Aunt Polly, just the person I wanted to see." Maddy put an arm around the older woman, and they walked back into the house.
"Good. I'm getting tired over there, sitting and wondering what's going on. From the look on Alec's face, I can guess. But an old gal my age doesn't have time to pussyfoot around, I'm snoopy and I admit it. So there." Aunt Polly said matter-of-factly.
"Well good. I have a huge favor to ask and I hope you're willing." Over iced tea and coffeecake Maddy explained the details of her aunt's will to her new friend and potential neighbor.
"That sure sounds like Madeline, all right. She had a powerful reason to do the things she did. I don't understand this thing with her family, even tried to talk her into making up but she said most everyone was dead. Funny thing, she never seemed bitter or spiteful, just plain wouldn't talk about it."
"Maybe we'll learn more when we go through her things. That's the favor. Would you help me, please?" Desperately Maddy clasped Aunt Polly's hand. "Now that it's official, I feel less like an intruder. I know she would like you to have something special to remember her by, too, but I just need your help so much."
Aunt Polly sat silent for a moment looking around.
"I sat in this kitchen many times over the years, shared a lot with Madeline. She was with me when my only child, Frank, died in a farm accident in l969. That was the last of my family, too. Made us kindred spirits you might say. Madeline was a fine lady and a good friend. I don't need anything else to remember her by."