For Your Love (15 page)

Once that was done, he joined Trent in his truck, and they drove off.

It was late afternoon by the time Trent dropped Bobby back at the trailer again, so frozen and sore he could barely make it up the steps.

Kiki took one look at him and said, “Oh, my poor baby.”

“We're moving back to Dallas just as soon as I can feel my feet and hands.”

“That bad, huh?”

“I never want to see snow again.” He didn't care that it was mid-­December and that, according to Trent, it might still be snowing come early April. Being out there had been brutal.

“I'll start you a warm bath.”

“Thank you,” he whispered. Every muscle he owned hurt from all the shoveling, and he couldn't stop shivering. He was glad Trent made him wear the extra gear. If he ever thawed out, he planned to go shopping for more. They'd used the truck to clear the parking lots of the Power Plant, the school, the church, and the rec center, but the walks and steps had to be shoveled and salted by hand. Even with the help of Mal, the colonel, and the rest of the men, it had been a long, exhausting, freezing work detail.

Bobby finally managed to remove his wet clothes and eased into the warmth of the water in the tub. “Oh god, this feels good.”

Standing beside him, Kiki gave him a smile. “You soak, I'll finish dinner.”

“I think I'm too whipped to eat.”

“I doubt that, but get yourself warm. I'll check on you in a bit.” Leaning in, she gave him a kiss.

After his soak, he ate the roasted chicken, potatoes, and greens she put on his plate. When he finished, he kissed his kids, fell across the bed, and slept like a dead man.

 

O
n Monday morning Bernadine rode with Mal to the county courthouse for the sentencing phase of Odessa Stillwell's trial. Bernadine doubted she would ever forget the sight last spring of the ­people running in terror from the explosions and flames from the fire Odessa had set. That she had been in reality targeting Bernadine because of her opposition to a pipeline that a big oil company wanted to run across local land haunted her, as did the knowledge that two innocent ­people lost their lives. The jury in the case had found Odessa guilty of second-­degree murder. “What do you think she'll get?”

“Life, probably,” Mal said without looking away from the traffic.

The state of Kansas had the death penalty but hadn't exercised that option since 1995. The ongoing debate over the repeal of the measure was being played out in the legislature and editorial sections of the big newspapers. Bernadine didn't support the death penalty, but she did think Odessa should be remanded to prison for the rest of her life.

When Bernadine and Mal entered the quiet courtroom, Odessa and her lawyer were seated up front. Directly behind them sat her son, Al. On the far side of the room were the Sanderson twins, Megan and Marie. It was their parents, Mike and Peggy, who'd died in the fire. They'd come to Henry Adams to see the Friday-­night movie in celebration of their thirtieth wedding anniversary, not knowing it would be their last.

Bernadine walked over and greeted the twins with hugs and kind words. She hoped the sentencing would give the girls some measure of closure, even though nothing would bring Mike and Peggy back. Beside them sat their grandfather Joel, Mike's dad. She shared a hug with him also. No parent should have to bury their child.

As she and Mal took seats, Mal leaned over and said softly, “Freda just came in.”

Freda was Odessa Stillwell's granddaughter. Her discovery of Odessa's gasoline-­doused clothing in the family barn had given the prosecutor the evidence they needed to bring charges. She was also the recipient of the $250,000 reward Bernadine had posted for information leading to the then-­unknown arsonist's arrest and conviction. According to the report from her financial ­people, the check had been sent and cashed. Freda was also friends with the Sanderson family, and she shared hugs with them before taking her seat.

“All rise.”

Judge Amy Davis appeared and took her seat on the bench. “Please be seated.”

From her dealings with the judge in the past, Bernadine knew her to be tough but fair. She also had a sense of humor, but there was no amusement in this case, and her face and manner projected that. She took a moment to flip through the documents before her and then invited the twins up to read their statements. In voices that shook with emotion, they spoke about the loss of their parents, their devastated lives, and how hard it was for them to get up each morning knowing neither of their parents were there. Bernadine found their words heartbreaking. Odessa for her part seemed to stare off unseeingly, and it was impossible to tell whether the words had any effect. Her son Al appeared moved, however. He kept dashing away his tears. Bernadine remembered the day he'd confronted her at the Dog, and how badly he'd scared her, but he'd played no part in the fire. That he too would be losing his parent underlined the painful ripples set in motion by that night's senseless actions.

In the end, Odessa Stillwell was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole, due to what Judge Davis called “reckless disregard for human life.” It was justice, but Bernadine knew it was small consolation to Joel Sanderson and the twins. Nothing would bring Mike and Peggy back, but at least everyone had the satisfaction of knowing Odessa Stillwell would be taking each and every breath until she drew her last behind bars.

On the drive back, neither Bernadine nor Mal had much to say at first. She looked out at the snow-­covered landscape and hoped Joel and the twins would find joy again someday. Finally, in an effort to beat back the dark cloud of feelings hovering over her, she asked, “What do you want for Christmas?”

“For us to get back to where we need to be.”

She raised her eyes to his.

“You're right, the whole thing with Rita Lynn—­stupid. Can't change the past, ­people's actions, thoughts, none of the above. I've missed you. And I'm sorry if I made you doubt how I feel about you.”

And she'd missed him as well. His phone calls every morning and at night before bed, having lunch with him, and their dinner dates. She was in love with him, and she knew deep down inside that he loved her as well—­even when she doubted it. “Anything else you want?”

“Besides your forgiveness?”

She nodded.

“A weekend with just you and me.”

They'd taken a few day trips together, but nothing overnight. She'd been using having to set a good example for Crystal as an excuse, but that's all it was, an excuse to hide her insecurities behind.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Anyplace where I can wear shorts.”

“Key West? I know a nice place where we can walk the beach. Watch the sunset. Relax.”

“Sounds great. Especially the relaxing part. You need that.”

And she did.

“And, baby?” he said quietly.

She glanced over.

“I just want us to get away. Nothing more. I don't want you to think I'm pressuring you.”

“You've never pressured me. Well, maybe when we first met, but you still had a lot of snake oil in your blood back then.”

His eyes mirrored his amusement. “True.”

“No, I want to go. I think we're ready.”

He looked away from the road for a moment. “I think we are, too.”

“Then, to Key West. And Mal—­I want us back the way we were, too. Let's go forward.”

“Thanks. Now, what do I get for the woman who has everything? Remember, I'm on a fixed income now.”

“You are so crazy.”

“What do you want?”

“Something money can't buy.”

“And that is?”

“Your company for a weekend in Key West. And who knows, we may even stay a few days longer.”

“You got it.”

The dark clouds melted away, and sunshine filled her spirit. Mal's company was all she needed to make her life right again. She just had to stop being afraid of committing fully.

Back at the Power Plant, Reverend Paula was sitting in the outer waiting room, flipping through a magazine. “Hey, Paula,” Bernadine said. “How are you? How'd things go at home?”

“Too long and ugly to talk about. Let's just say I'm glad to be back where sane ­people reside.”

Bernadine realized she knew next to nothing about Paula's family, other than they lived in Oklahoma, and she'd escaped there right out of high school. “Are you waiting for me?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Then come on in.”

“How'd the sentencing go?”

“Life with no parole.”

Paula took a seat, and Bernadine stashed her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk.

“Sadness for everyone concerned,” Paula said solemnly.

“I know. Are you just visiting, or do you need something?

“Stopped by for two reasons. One, I'd like a bell for the church.”

Bernadine was confused. “What kind of bell?”

“One we can put in the steeple. I want Trent and his elves to design and build it. I had a bell at my old church in Miami, and when it worked, it made it sound like Sunday morning.”

Bernadine thought about that. It might be nice to have a bell. She remembered instances when cities and towns were called upon to ring their church bells in concert for national events of celebration and for mourning. It would be good for their little town to be a part of that. “Any idea how much it might cost?”

“No. I wanted to run it by you first.”

“Okay, get with Lily and see what you can find, and then talk to Trent about the installation.”

“Sounds good. Thanks. My second request: I'd like to take our kids on a mission trip.”

Bernadine rested against her chair back. “Any idea where?”

“I'm thinking Jamaica. A friend heads up an orphanage there, and he's trying to get some housing built and a new well dug. I know most of our kids didn't grow up with privileged lives, but I think they'd benefit from going down and connecting with children in a country that's not as blessed economically.”

Bernadine really liked the idea. Paula was a wonderful addition to their community. Her ability to counsel and relate to the kids was priceless. “So how much is this going to cost?”

“Let me find out how many kids want to go and talk to my friend there first. They might be able to stay on the grounds, which would cut costs, but airfare is probably going to be a big expense.”

“My jet is set up for ten passengers.”

Paula sat up in surprise. “I hadn't even thought about that. I was thinking commercial.”

“Put that in the equation.”

“I will. Thank you, Bernadine. I'll work up a plan and get it to you after the first of the year. I know your plate's groaning right now.”

“A bit.” She was really looking forward to some time away with nothing to do but enjoy Mal's company. “The Acostas doing good, as far as you know?” She owed them a personal visit.

“Far as I know. Great family. Too bad Astrid didn't appreciate Luis.”

“I don't think she appreciates anyone not named Astrid Wiggins.”

“It must be pretty tough being her.”

“Paula, please.”

“No, think about it. A person with that much anger inside has to be hurting. Your husband runs off with the runner-­up in the Miss Heifer contest. The neighboring town is doing way better than your own, which adds to your feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, and now everyone in the county knows your parents had to pay a man to marry you. How awful that last one has to be.”

Bernadine wasn't buying. “I know you're all about love and forgiveness, and in many ways I am too, but those crazies she called down on us when Cephas left Zoey that gold could've done more damage than they did. They could've hurt Zoey. They could've—­”

“But they didn't, Bernadine,” Paula said, cutting her off gently. “You can't hold a could've against someone.”

“Sure I can. I own this place,” she said, humor in her tone. She studied Paula's always serene face, and her voice turned serious. “I get what you're saying. You want me to extend an olive branch, don't you?”

“Yes. It might make a difference.”

“She's going to take a match to it. Guaranteed.”

“So you keep trying, That's all we're asked to do. Keep trying.”

Cletus would sprout wings and fly before Astrid accepted any kind of truce or sit-­down. But who knew? As much as Bernadine disliked the woman, if there was a way to end the madness, she'd give it a shot. “Okay, Paula. I'll call her in a few and see if we can't open up a dialogue.”

“Good for you.”

“Anything else?”

Paula shook her head and stood. “No. That's it for now”

“I like the idea of the bell and the mission trip. Let's see if we can't make both happen.”

“Okay.” The reverend zipped up her long green down-­filled coat and headed for the door. “Stay warm.”

Bernadine was just about to pick up the phone and do her part for world peace by calling Astrid when her sister Diane, looking upset, walked into the office.

“You're back.”

“Yes, and I just left the store. Did you know that Gary fired me?” Diane hung up her parka and sat.

“You didn't call him the day after you and I talked?”

“No, I was busy, but I did call him a ­couple of days later.”

“A ­couple of days?” Bernadine echoed skeptically.

“Yes.”

“But I told you to call him immediately. Right then, Di.”

She blew out a breath and looked away. “Now what am I going to do?”

“Find another job,” Bernadine tossed back without hesitation.

“But he knew I was coming back. I need to get a lawyer. This is not right.”

Bernadine couldn't believe this. “You have no grounds to sue. He gave you a chance to keep your job. You were fired because of you.”

Diane blew out another breath. Finally she said, “Okay, I'll start looking right after Christmas.”

“No, You'll start looking today. Immediately.”

“But Bernie, I haven't even started my Christmas shopping.”

“Not my monkey, not my circus. You have rent and a car payment, remember?” One would think Diane was one of Crystal's peers, the way she approached life. She was too old to be so irresponsible. As Bernadine noted more than once, her recently divorced sister was easier to have around now than when she first arrived in town a few months back, but she still had a long way to go to become the serious, independent woman she needed to be to take charge of her own life.

“Well, I do have some good news.”

“And that is?”

“I have a boyfriend,” Diane said, smiling coquettishly.

“Really.” Bernadine's Spidey sense started tingling.

“His name is Rance. I met him in Hawaii. He's a big-­time venture capitalist, and he is rich, rich, rich.”

She held on to her skepticism. “Where'd you meet Rance?”

“On the beach, my first day there. Told me I was the most beautiful woman he'd seen in his life, which of course I didn't believe, but he took me out on his boat that night, and the next day we went dancing and had a sunset picnic. He's so exciting.”

“And did Marlon and Anthony meet Rance?”

“They did, but they didn't like him.”

“Ah. Did they say why?”

“I think they were just mad because he was monopolizing my time. I was supposed to be down there hanging out with them.”