She thought about that and then asked, “Do you really believe that?”
The best friend who never kept things from her hesitated and then quietly answered, “Of course not. Do you?”
“No. He was in my house last night. One of the earrings I put on top of my jewelry box yesterday was gone this morning. I know exactly where I put it, and the other one is still there, but one’s gone.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“You need to tell Luke.”
She couldn’t help sounding bitter when she admitted, “I can’t tell Luke. We’re not speaking. I’ll go in and get a restraining order if the police will give me one. And I’ll get a gun and I’ll be fine. I’ll be more careful about locking the door though.”
“Why are you not speaking?”
It took her a second to answer. “I honestly don’t know. Something happened in Connecticut to make him dislike me. I’ve thought and thought about it, but I don’t know what I did. Maybe it was my parents. Or Elroy. Maybe he’s just sick of me and can’t wait for me to leave. I don’t know. But don’t tell him about the earring. I’ll handle it.”
This time he was the one who hesitated. “Okay, Charlie, but he runs this place. He truly ought to know what’s going on. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t think this has anything to do with the ranch. I’ve gotta go. Thanks for digging for me. Have a good day.”
When she walked into the kitchen, first Madge asked her if she was okay and then when he and Luke came in, Richard asked her as well, “Charlie, are you okay? Are you sick?”
She brushed off his concern. “I’m fine. Some jet lag is all. How are you feeling? Back on Montana time yet?”
Richard took the platter of bacon and eggs she was carrying. “Give me one more day and I’ll be good as new.”
They all visited through breakfast and she felt as if she’d done okay as she cleared the table afterward. Hopefully, no one had even noticed that her heart was smashed and her peace of mind had been brutally ripped away this morning.
She rolled her neck as she waited for the water at the kitchen sink to run hot before she rinsed the plates. She could do this. The only one who seemed to have a problem with her was Luke. Everyone else still acted like she was welcome. All she had to do was find a way to push the thoughts of Luke out of her head and finish out the summer. She could do this. She was fine.
The children helped as they were around her that day, and when Richard asked after her again that afternoon it helped as well. She simply had to remember to count her blessings and not be too hopeful about the future right this minute. All she needed was some time. Once she’d adjusted her mindset, she’d be just dandy.
That night, she went straight to her cabin after dinner and was surprised to find the same dog Pilgrim lying on her front porch. After locking the door securely, she checked to make sure all the windows were locked and then slipped out of her clothes and showered. It had really helped this morning. Maybe the soothing hot water would help her state of mind again tonight.
As she got out, she pulled out a new book she’d been meaning to read. With all the fuss of the trip and what not, she’d never even opened it, but surely a good read would help her shake her nerves and sadness tonight.
She took the book into her bedroom and pulled not only the blind, but the drapes as well and settled in to read. It was a good book, but she was still so tired and put it aside before it was even nine o’clock. She turned out the lights and prayed and turned onto her stomach and pulled her pillow into her arms, grateful that last night’s fear hadn’t reappeared.
The next afternoon, she truly did go into town and arrange to have a restraining order placed on Tyree. She had to file a police report about someone being in her house two nights before, but thankfully, the officer who helped her didn't push too hard before agreeing to process the order.
On the way home, she stopped at a sporting goods store and bought a small handgun. The paperwork for this actually took longer than the police paperwork and she thought about what she was doing as she waited. She'd never in her life considered buying a firearm, even though she'd actually been taken to a shooting range once on a date. Six months ago, she'd have never dreamed of owning a gun, but after the fear she felt over Tyree, she hoped it would make her feel more secure.
The salesman who helped her make her selection asked her if she was familiar with how it worked and when she admitted she would need some practice, he didn't hesitate to offer to help her learn. Even though the last thing she wanted right now was another guy's attention, she accepted. He seemed nice enough and she truly did need the help learning to use her new purchase. She arranged to go to a shooting range with him that Friday evening and then took the heavy little black pistol and drove back to the ranch. As barbaric as it seemed, knowing she had a weapon there in her house with her did help. She was able to lock her doors that night and feel as secure as she had before that ugly night with Tyree had ever happened. Even though she had no intention of ever shooting anything, it was very reassuring.
****
She hadn't mentioned she was going to be going anywhere on Friday and when her friendly shooting instructor showed up to pick her up, Fo looked surprised and for some reason, Luke almost looked mad as they drove past the bunkhouse on the way out. The gun range was interesting, and other than her date thinking he had to put his arms around her to show her how to hold it properly, the evening felt like a success. She knew how to load and unload the gun and how to shoot it properly and felt she could handle it if she ever needed to. She also knew the friendly gun salesman did absolutely nothing for her romantically and she smiled noncommittally when he said he'd call as he dropped her back at the ranch.
Fo showing up at her house as soon as he got back from his date, didn't surprise her a bit. She'd known he'd be up to investigate when she drove past him on the way out. He dropped into his porch rocker and offered her a half package of Oreo's. "You got any milk? Luke and I are out at the bunkhouse."
"Of course I have milk. What are you thinking?" She got up to go inside to get the milk and cups. "Is he coming this way too? How many cups do I need?"
"He's long gone to bed. It's just me."
When she came out and handed him the milk, he asked, “So, who was the guy?"
After explaining about the gun, she went in and got it to bring it out and show him. He only looked at it for a minute before he locked it back in its case and then looked back at her and shook his head. "I never thought I'd see the day Charlie Evans was packing heat."
"Oh, give me a break. I'm not exactly packing it. It's like a really expensive dose of Ambien. I'm hoping I'll be able to rest easier with it and so far it's worked."
"Whatever works. Just be careful. So apparently you weren't overly excited by the company tonight?"
She sighed. "Not to speak of. Has Luke ever said why all the sudden he's allergic to me?"
"Yes." She looked over at him. "But, I can't tell you what he said."
"What? You're kidding. You'd never hold out on me. C’mon Fo. It's me, Charlie."
"I know it's you, Charlie, but this truly would be betraying a confidence this time. You'll have to ask him yourself."
"Do you think he'll tell me?"
"No."
She was silent for a minute while they rocked and then she said, "I don't think so either." After another time, she admitted to him, "I almost wish I hadn't come here, now."
"I thought you were loving it. Until Tyree at least."
“I was. Even after Tyree. But knowing Luke wishes I was gone is awful. I tried so hard to be immune to him, Fo, but it was hopeless. He's just too darn adorable. Now it makes me heartsick."
Fo hesitated and then said, "I don't think
wishes you were gone
is exactly how I'd describe what's going on here."
She sighed. "It's been a week, Fo. He only has anything to do with me when he accidentally forgets to ignore me."
"Don't you think it's just that he's been busy after taking a few days off?"
Charlie glanced over at him and rolled her eyes. "Nice try, Fo. Can you at least tell me what I did that was so bad?"
He hesitated again and then said, "I'm sorry, Charlie, but you seriously are going to have to have this conversation with him."
"I thought I ranked over anyone on the planet with you. What's up with this? And I already asked him. He wouldn't tell me."
"It's not that you don't rank, Chuck. If this was someone else. Just another guy, I'd tell you in a heart beat. But this seems too… Too… I don't know. For real or something, to take a chance on messing up for the two of you. If someone is going to mess it up, it's not going to be me. There's too much at risk."
Sadly, Charlie said, "Actually, apparently there's nothing at risk. I'm going to focus on helping out as much as possible for the next three weeks until I leave without getting in his way. He went from absolutely friendly to absolutely cold in like three seconds the other day on the beach. I don't have a clue what I did." She paused and then said, "Never mind. How was your date? I've never seen you like this over a girl."
He watched her for a moment, and then grinned. "It's almost a bit scary isn't it? I don't know, Charlie. I'm thinking forever with Amy is not nearly long enough."
"And what is Amy thinking?"
"That's what scares me. She thinks I'm wonderful. I keep worrying she's going to find out what I'm really like and run."
She leaned across and nudged him. "You're one of those that gets better the closer you look. You know that. Do you actually think this is her?"
He rocked back in his chair. "I don't know. We've only known each other for a little over three months, but it feels so right. Does that make any sense?"
"You're asking me? The romantically moronic one? I just told you the only guy I've ever seriously felt lovesick over is allergic to me. I'm definitely not the right one to ask."
"Honestly, I don't even need to ask. Everything seems too good to question much. We've even talked about getting married. Right now we're both just saying we need to give it some time and make sure. I'm going to go finish my last semester back in Utah and we'll see what happens. The hospital has offered me a permanent position if I want to come back."
She reached across and took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm so happy for you, Fo. I mean, I'll miss you to death, but I've been praying you'd find her. I hope it all works out perfect for you."
He squeezed her hand back. "I hope that same thing for you, Charlie. I do think you and Luke would be so good together, but I guess none of that is up to me. All I can say is, I think he's the greatest man on the planet and that he's worth fighting for. He's definitely worth giving up stupid law school for."
"I'd give up law school in a second for him, Fo. But I don't think that would fix his sudden aversion. It has to be something more than that. It's not like he's breathing down my neck, begging me to stay."
He let go of her hand and went back to rocking. "No, he's not really a begging kind of a guy, is he? He's more of a self sacrificing kind of a guy so that he doesn't get in the way of people's dreams."
"I don't understand what you're saying, Fo."
All he did was sigh. "I'm saying this has to be a conversation you have with him." He got up to go and she raised her hand to catch his as he continued, "I can tell you he was way not happy to see your personal shooting instructor tonight. That's a good sign, isn't it?"
"I haven't a clue, at this point, Fo. All I know tonight is I'm tired now."
"Go to bed, Charlie. Lock your door. I'll pray for you. For both of you."
"I'll pray for both of you too, Fo. Night."
****
The next morning, Charlie was in the office, trying to figure out why the computer wasn't interfacing with the printer when she felt a hand on her shoulder as she leaned over looking at the back of the tower. She automatically swung an elbow to dissuade Chase from getting any cozier than just the hand on her shoulder. As she turned to see Luke doubled over sucking air she was horrified. "Oh, Luke. I'm so sorry! I thought you were Chase. Please forgive me. Are you okay?" She turned and put a hand on his arm and looked up into his face. "I'm so sorry!"
With a groan, Luke attempted to say, "Remind me never to surprise you again. Geez. For once I actually feel sorry for Chase."
Charlie shook her head. "Don't. He deserves every elbow he gets. One of these days I'm going to take Tae Kwan Do. Are you all right?"
Luke tried to smile. "Yeah, just a little short of oxygen. But then you've always had that effect on me. I’ll talk to Chase and tell him to leave you alone. What are you doing?"
"Oh, this computer is foinging out again. It's not speaking to the printer. Do you think you could look at it?"
"Foinging? Do I know what that means?"
She looked at him, wondering how to take his comment about oxygen. "Yeah, you always have that foinging effect on us girls. I'm sure you know."
He laughed. "Whatever." He reached over and turned both the computer and printer off and then they both sat there silently for a minute while he waited to turn them back on. As they powered back up, he leaned over like she had been to check all the cords. He pushed them all to make sure they were tight and she couldn't help but watch the muscles of his shoulders stretch the fabric of his shirt as he moved.
Trying to take her mind off of how attractive he was, she decided to try again to have that conversation Fo had talked about last night. "Luke, are you ever going to tell me what I did at the beach to offend you so much?"
He looked up and met her eyes for a long moment and then went back to inspecting the tangle of wires coming from the computer. "I told you then you didn't offend me, Charlie."
She folded her arms over her chest and leaned back against the desk. "So then what's going on? Because you like me when you forget that you've decided not to like me." He glanced up again and she challenged him, "Deny it."
Before he answered, he did something with the mouse and the printer kicked in as he looked up and said quietly, "What's not to like, Charlie? I think it's stopped foinging. Call me if you need me again.”