“Shelby and I can see each other on Sundays in church. No one will suspect a thing.”
“We’ll discuss it,” he said.
“No, we won’t. You have no say in what I do at church, especially since you never darken the door.”
He held up his clipboard that had the note attached. “I have my report to submit. I’m waiting here until you drive off. Then I’ll swing it by the sheriff’s office and pick up my bike.”
A bicycle would allow me to report in to the parole officer, explore the town, research at the library, find a printshop, stop by to introduce myself to my new employer, visit Pastor Emory, and even pay a visit at two boutiques. Such a long list. What I couldn’t get done today, I’d finish tomorrow.
I hugged Edie. There was so much I wanted to say, but not with Officer Hughes observing me through his microscopic lens. I dreaded the next encounter with him. But I’d be armed with my own stubborn resolve.
I needed Valleysburg. Not sure why, but I believed I belonged here. Someday, if I found favor, I’d call this town home and these people family.
Maybe not Officer Hughes.
7
DENTON
How strange to feel an emotional connection to a horse again. Not since I was a kid had I been attached to such a magnificent animal. Back in those days, my heart belonged to a quarter horse whose speed challenged the wind. Nothing compared to feeling like the horse and I flew as one.
In my twenties I exchanged the horse for a silver Camaro. Finished college. Fell in love and proposed to the most beautiful brunette on the planet. Planned a fall wedding. Joined the FBI. My youngest brother jabbed at my career choice every chance he got. So I committed to nail Shelby Pearce for life. My future slid downhill from there . . .
My life lay in shambles, and I blamed her. My parents wanted me to talk to their pastor, but why? God was using me as a whipping boy.
“Great way to spend the morning.” I brushed the sides of Big Red to cool my constant companion.
He shook his head to chase away a fly, but it looked like he agreed.
“What do you think of Shelby Pearce? I’ll tell you a few things first. Those blue-gray eyes, long honey-colored hair, and sweet voice might lead a man to distraction. Not me. When she was fifteen, she broke into her high school and vandalized the girls’ athletic trophy case. She also had two arrests for underage drinking and took a neighbor’s car joyriding. That’s just a drop. But I know what she did to her family, and one of her crimes remains an open case.”
My brain must have been hit by buckshot to talk to a horse about a string of crimes that happened over fifteen years ago. She’d pulled the trigger on a man, leaving her sister a widow and an unborn baby without a daddy. Add the disappearance of five hundred thousand dollars.
Upon her release from prison, she’d chosen Valleysburg to supposedly begin her life all over. I knew exactly what she planned—sit tight until she could get her hands on the money. No doubt she had an accomplice who worked the sidelines.
I’d been given another chance to prove myself to the FBI, and this time I refused to be defeated. I’d been given an undercover assignment to locate the stolen money. I took up residence in the community and set up my role. Shelby had blinded the parole board, Edie Campbell, and Pastor Emory. But I’d expose her. No one had the right to steal from a nonprofit organization that housed, schooled, and fed African orphans.
My cell phone alerted me to a call from Mom with “Hey Jude.” The ringtone always took me back to the days of her at the piano playing and singing Beatles songs. Dad, my two younger brothers, and I learned every word.
“Hi, Denny, this is Mom.”
I chuckled. Who else could it be? “What’s happening with the fam?”
“That’s why I’m calling. Our annual barbecue cook-off is in three weeks, and I wanted to make sure you were coming. Your recipe always wins, but your brothers are perfecting theirs.”
I pictured my dark-haired mom doodling on a scratch pad, her normal manner of doing something while on the phone. “Mom, I’m working undercover.”
“Where?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be undercover.”
A sigh met my ears. “I can always ask. Any chance your case will be closed by the cook-off?”
“I have no idea, but we can hope.” I hated to disappoint her. “But you can tell Dad, Andy, and Brice they will never beat out my barbecue sauce. Mamaw gave me the recipe with the orders it was to be passed down to the oldest son of each generation.”
“Right, and the competition is between the McClure men. You’d think her own daughter would have it tucked away. But I didn’t qualify.” She huffed.
“You know Mamaw.”
“Sweet and sassy. I miss her.”
“So do I.”
“Does your undercover work let you work with troubled teens?”
“No, and I miss it.” I’d been volunteering with Hope for Today’s Youth since the eruption in my life years back.
“All right, Denny. I’ll let you go, but first I have to ask—”
I laughed. “No, I haven’t met a nice girl.”
We ended the call. My family meant a lot to me, but between Andy marrying my ex-fiancée and Brice’s jabs, my brothers had a way of making me feel like day-old coffee grounds.
A vehicle engine rumbled a familiar sound. Through the barn’s opening, I saw Edie Campbell approaching on foot. “Morning, Edie. You doing okay?”
“Better than I deserve. Hey, I wanted to ask you a favor.”
I laid the brush on the trunk outside Big Red’s stall. “I’m listening.”
“I came from visiting Shelby Pearce. Thanks for showing her a warm, Valleysburg welcome.”
“No problem. She’s a nice lady. I intend to visit again.”
Edie moistened her lips. “She’s gotten off to a bad start. Someone shot out my SUV tire when she was with me last night, and today someone shoved a note under her door, letting her know she wasn’t welcome.”
“Why?”
She flushed. “Honestly, she came from a rough past.”
“Aw. An abusive ex?”
“Something like that. I’m concerned about her.”
“Edie, did she report it to the sheriff?”
“My brother responded to the call.”
“If I see or hear anything suspicious, I’ll let the sheriff’s office know. In the meantime, I’ll look in on her.”
“Thanks. I need to get back to the office.” She drove off.
Shelby was released yesterday and already she’d taken a prime spot on a shooter’s hit list. But someone had threatened her more than once. Perhaps an accomplice who wanted all of the stolen cash? Or a person invested in protecting Shelby’s family? Or someone taking a stand against crime in Valleysburg?
I’d find out.
8
SHELBY
I stepped onto the porch of my cabin, the lure of freedom pulling me into her spell. I never wanted to take the beauty around me for granted.
I removed my worn journal from my backpack. Settling on a rocker, I opened my journal, an old friend that’s always available for conversation, and clicked the pen. The chorus of insects reminded me of childhood days at my grandparents’ farm west of Houston. Sweet memories of simpler days.