Letters From Al (3 page)

"You know, I think I could get used to this. Imagine, having a home of my own and not a cramped apartment with a part-time roommate."

As she looked at her aunt's home she got an odd, familiar feeling gazing at the old, two-story, white frame Victorian. With black gingerbread trim and shutters and a porch running the length of the front, it looked cared for even though one shutter hung by a hinge. The lawn furniture lay stored haphazardly against the porch wall. The lawn was a bit scraggly, but cut, and for the most part, well maintained. It looked comfortable and homey.

The funny feeling came over her again. Warmth that she wasn't used to enveloped her. Was it a welcome home? Hardly, she'd lived here such a short time. She brushed it off and parked in front.

"Oh, brother, what am I trying to do? I need to keep a clear head and not read something into all these feelings." Her imagination was leading her into a romanticized version of her childhood. Her parents loved her, which had been enough. Why was she so afraid of being disappointed? She got out and stretched. The drive from Omaha seemed endless and she was bursting with questions and feelings about what to do next. Hands on her hips, she gave the place a good once over.

"Ready or not, here I come. Not to sound greedy, but I wonder just how much you're worth today. Before I start counting my chickens, I better find where the realty office is. The letter said down the street and near the town square. I should be able to find that."

Maddy turned around casting an interested eye at her new surroundings, vague memories surrounded her. She finally recalled her directions to the center of town and frowned, wondering if she should walk or drive. Slinging her purse over one shoulder she started out walking, she'd had enough driving for today.

An older woman sat rocking and staring from the porch of the home next door. A cheerful flower garden and vine-covered archway connected the two properties, and was well-used according to the worn path.

The thought made her chuckle. "If you think this outfit is bad, you ought to see my roommate's wardrobe," she said under her breath, thinking of Marie's flamboyant outfits. She was surprised that she didn't miss her roommate that much. Marie could be very bossy at times and with her mild nature, Maddy would always let her have her way. Had she finally had her fill?

Maddy couldn't explain how free and unencumbered she felt now that she was actually here. Nielsen, Nebraska, population 4,500 was a small town in Nebraska, her great aunt's home. Could it be a home for her? She didn't even know if she owned anything yet, and she didn't care. She was here, making her own decisions. Free to go, free to stay if she wanted. The giddiness of choice was invigorating. She might just hang around a little while, the place looked really interesting and the feelings, the memories were starting to return as well.

"I better find out what is involved and not linger

over memories too much. That won't pay the bills." She

stepped up her pace.

"Well, Aunt Madeline, here I am the unknown niece who

carries on the family's black sheep bloodline as well as your name. I wonder if I am as brave as you." She looked down the road at the small town's main street. Festive flags on the streetlights waved in the breeze.

She wondered aloud, with a sigh, "I must be. I'm here."

Chapter 2

Maddy gave one last look over her shoulder at the house on Main Street and picked up her pace. She needed to find the realtor next. Dozens of questions were forming in her mind, mostly about owning a home. She knew it was a big responsibility and wondered how expensive it would be to heat and cool. How much the taxes were, practical things.

Her friends kept saying things would work out but Maddy was never sure. Right now her car was in the shop and her dentist had sent a letter threatening to repossess the last crown in her mouth. Yes, the money was part of it. She was tired of being broke. So, it hadn't taken her long to realize this might be her way out.

"People from Illinois always talk to themselves?" An amused voice broke her train of thought.

Startled, she jumped at the deep voice coming from behind her. A handsome, suntanned face peered at her, and a wide grin greeted her through an open car window. The face was vaguely familiar. There was a flashing red light on top of the car, and a big silver badge painted on the side. The officer wore a neat, khaki uniform and sunglasses.

"Jeez, in trouble with the law already and I just got here." Maddy muttered under breath and walked over to the car with hands held up in mock surrender. "Sorry, officer, I didn't know it was against the law to talk to your self here in Nielsen. Just arrived and got turned around."

"Yes, ma'am, I know. I know everyone hereabouts and you, as the saying goes, I'd remember." Looking her up and down with admiring deep blue eyes, he got out and motioned for her to put her hands down. A glint of recognition crossed his face.

"So? What did I do to deserve the flashing lights?" Maddy was too tired to be very deferential.

"If there's anything against the law here, I'd say it was having eyes the color of yours." He was flirting with her outrageously as he stared, the grin never faltering.

"Is that a cop-type compliment or just a typical come on?" Brazenly she folded her arms and leaned against the fender of his car.

She guessed he was at least six foot two of pure masculinity in a neat, tan uniform. Broad shoulders attached to muscular arms, neatly pressed uniform, a huge gun on his hip. This was a very attractive man and he hadn't even taken his sunglasses off. He walked around a bit, stretching his legs and leaned next to Maddy against the car. She looked away and wished her heart wouldn't flutter so.

The way she was feeling right now, there was nothing she would love more than a good-natured exchange, especially with a handsome, if not rather smug, man. Pausing, she glanced back at her dusty car and ran a hand through her tousled red hair. Maddy readjusted the emerald green shirt that slid provocatively over her shoulder. She could see the interest in those brilliant blue eyes moving up and down her figure from the short skirt to the silky shirt constantly showing off a creamy shoulder.

Whoa, Girl.
Let’s not get anything started here we can’t control. Just who was this guy, anyway? Why did he look so familiar?

"Well, ma'am, I was just making rounds when I saw you pull in. You looked a little lost," He said casually, readjusting his sunglasses.

"I am not lost, and it's Miss." She said, “I was just getting my bearings. It's been a long time since I was here and I'm supposed to meet a realtor named Leland Lancaster." Maddy wished she didn't talk so fast, it made her sound nervous. The officer listened and seemed deep in thought.

"Yeah, his office is just down the street. Say, I know who you are now. I heard you might be coming in. So, is it really you?" He stood upright, grinning and apparently momentarily lost for words.

"Well, I know who I am, but who do you think I am?" Maddy knew she was being sassy, but she was tired and more than curious. Her heart lurched and uneasily she shifted from one foot to the other. Then the realization hit her. If this was who she thought it was, her stomach now joined her heart in bouncing like a ping-pong ball. Alec McKay. This was her first love. Well, that answered a lot of the questions she had. The first boy who ever kissed her, anyway, and the boy who never wrote to her? Well, maybe once or twice. That memory made her prickle.

"You still have the same habits, always on the move. And those big emerald green eyes never miss a thing. Nobody had eyes like you." He gently pushed a strand of her hair out of her eye. This time his voice was low and husky and made her heart flutter at the familiarity.

"I'm hardly the same girl. If you had bothered to write years ago, you might know me, at least a little. Too late now, I'm all grown up."

"I'll say you are." Deputy McKay took his glasses off and looked at her appraisingly.

Steadily his eyes locked on her. Something about the light hair, impish smile and knowing way he had about him when he looked at her made her feel fifteen again. His whole personality said teasing, sweet, sexy; and now all that in an adult version. It was him, and she did remember. “Well, this is a surprise,” she said.
Now how was she going to handle it?
The deep blue of his eyes and the smile made her remember the honesty and trust they'd once shared. Could it still be that way or was he just trying to impress her?

I’m too suspicious,
she chided herself,
give the guy a chance. Give yourself a chance.
.

"Sorry, I was just thinking. Madeline Morris, haven't said that name in a long time. Junior High, I think. How many years has it been? I guess you could hardly be expected to remember me." He sounded hopeful rather than disappointed.

The big, brawny deputy stood before her holding his hands out in recognition as if expecting a hug.

As if she would ever forget that grin and the easy way

he smiled. But she wasn't going to admit it, not yet. She held her emotions in check.

"Oh, yes, I think-- Oh, of course I remember you, Alec."

"Well, wouldn't expect you to remember me right off, I wasn't a great pen pal, was I?"

“
I can’t really remember.” She shrugged.

"I remember I kissed you under the oak tree in front

of the pavilion. Right over there, remember?" He pointed to a classic white bandstand that still stood in the middle of town.

"Yes, I remember. A girl always remembers her first kiss." She looked at his hand still holding hers. "Can I have my hand back?"

“
Yes, but only if you let me make up all those years to you while you’re here.”

"I don’t think so, not enough time. I’m not here for long."

He threw back his head, laughing a deep, tumultuous laugh that made her want to smile immediately at the sound. Then, unexpectedly, she found herself in a big hug, being twirled around. She struggled, surprised at how her heart still lurched around her long-distance, fickle, first love.

"For goodness sakes, put me down."

"Still the same little wild cat. And you do look and act like you did when we were kids. Maybe the hair is shorter. But I like short."

He finally let her go and stood back, hands on hips, a satisfied look on his face "Now that introductions are over, I have to say, you look great. That red hair, how I loved running my fingers through it, it was so soft and long."

Maddy was breathless from the hug as well as shock of finding Alec seemingly as unchanged as when she last saw him.

"Well, I hardly know what to say to a greeting like

that." She brushed non-existent dust from her clothes, trying to catch her breath from the exuberant welcome as well as her surprisingly excited response.

"You'll have to excuse me; I don't usually hug people I stop. But, you are a sight for sore eyes." He looked down at her, as if truly appreciative at her presence.

"So, you're a cop now. That's really ironic as ornery as you used to be to poor old Sheriff Maxwell when we were kids." Maddy, leaned against the car for support, hoping he didn't notice.

He waved her off. "We were angels compared to what I run into nowadays with these kids."

"Oh, so there is poetic justice after all." She couldn't hide the grin and he shrugged in sheepish agreement.

"I guess so. We were ornery, but we weren't dangerous." He stepped back and took another thoughtful look at her. "So, what are you doing back here in Nebraska?"

“
My Aunt passed away.”

"Oh, Maddy, I heard about your aunt. I'm so sorry."

Gently he put a hand gently on her forearm. "She was a great lady, always helping someone."

Surprised by his warmth and sympathy she stared back.

His touch was genuine, as true as his sensitive eyes, now darker and inquiring. There was nothing fake about this man. His caring was etched on his face as he looked intently at her.

"Maddy. I can't believe you're standing here. I hope

things have been good for you."

“
Good enough, I guess. Just look at you though.”

“
I know. Remember History class with Mrs. Warren? She never thought I'd amount to much, but I passed thanks to you. Still owe you for that." Maddy shrugged again and looked away.

"Hey, Maddy, I'm sorry about not writing much, losing touch. But, well, I tried to write. I did write a couple times. You got them, didn't you? I wasn't exactly a devoted writer, much less boyfriend, huh? I should have called more."

She looked away, not wanting him to know how much it had meant then.

"It was a long time ago, forget it. I only lived here six months, one semester. Life went on, for both of us. So, you're a cop now, and still in this one-horse town?"

“
Oh but it’s a two-horse town now, and yes, I love it here. Can’t beat it. How about you? Married?”

"Married? Oh, no, at least not yet. My life is the usual. Went to school, got a job in Chicago. My parents are both gone now." She tried to sound casual but his look said how sorry he was and her voice broke a little.