Chapter 4

In her upstairs bedroom, Allison opened the double windows wider to let in a bit more of the cool night air. She shed her jeans and T-shirt and slipped into a nightshirt with “Save the Wild Horses” emblazoned on the front. Sitting on the edge of the bed for a few moments, she rolled her head back and forth to work out the kinks brought on by stress from the remarkable day. As if enough hadn’t happened, with her vehicle in town, she would have to see Shane again to get it back.

Before tucking her daughter into bed, she’d reassured Lizzie the tire would be fixed, and they’d have the vehicle in time to take her and the pony to the show—at the fairgrounds bright and early Sunday morning, where they would again see Shane as check-in vet.

She sighed. Avoiding the man was not an option, so she best figure out how to deal with him and remain sane.

Grabbing a hairbrush from the dresser top, she went to sit in front of the open windows. Using her fingertips, she massaged her scalp first and then slowly, methodically began to pull the brush through the tangled strands. Closing her eyes, she tried to relax but couldn’t stop the memories flooding into her mind.

On an evening a week after her grandmother passed away, she had been sitting alone on the front porch, brushing out her hair. Shane had driven up and joined her on the swing. They sat quietly for a while, and then she began to cry. Against his strong, sympathetic shoulder, she spent all the emotions kept bottled up inside, and shed every tear she’d not been able to weep even at Grandma Ellie’s funeral. When she finally couldn’t cry anymore, he took the brush from her and drew it through her damp hair. Then he kissed her and held her and stayed with her until she slept there in the swing, in the soft summer night.

A sweet memory, and one she would always hold dear, but it didn’t take away the pain of the other one, of hearing from her grandfather that Shane had left the state, taking a late bus out of town without any explanation. Leaving a young, vulnerable girl to deal with the secret she was keeping.

Remembering just how alone she’d felt jarred Allison from her contemplative mood. She tossed the brush aside and rested her arms on the windowsill. Staring out into the night, she tried to focus on the front lawn below.

Beyond the circle of the yard light, a half-moon cast a watery glow, and barely-there shadows fell from the old oak and willow tree. Straining to see better, she let her gaze follow the path leading to the barn. There, the moonlight faded beneath a passing cloud, and just past the barn, a shadow moved.

Allison tensed and clutched the edge of the sill. Had she imagined it? Or had something, someone, slipped around the corner of the barn? She kept watching but saw nothing else. The hair at the back of her neck stirred, and a sudden shiver coursed down her spine.

A shotgun sat in the back of the closet in her grandparents’ old room. She hated guns, but Jason had made certain she knew how to shoot one, just in case. If anything—anyone—threatened her little family or her horses, she wouldn’t hesitate to use it. But for the rest of the hour she sat at the windows, the barn remained quiet, and no more shadows stirred.

****

Allison had just finished with morning lessons when Shane arrived the next day. He waited while she talked to Jenny, the high school girl hired to help out during the summer.

“I have to go into town,” she briefly explained to the petite brunette. “Make sure the kids walk the horses before putting them in this front pasture. Then could you stay with Lizzie until I get back? I shouldn’t be gone long.”

She knew Jenny wouldn’t mind. It gave her reason to stay around the horses longer, but the girl glanced curiously at the tall, dark-haired man leaning against his pickup.

“I’ve never seen him before, but he’s pretty cute for an older guy. Who is he?”

Allison had to laugh to herself. Did Shane know he was now considered an “older” guy? “Shane McBride. He’s the new vet helping out Doc Brewster.”

Jenny studied him a moment longer while he talked to Gypsy, who leaned against his knee as he scratched behind her ears. “Is he a friend of yours?” she finally asked.

Allison dug around in her purse to make sure she had her checkbook. Shane her friend? At one time, he’d been that…and so much more. But now? “We knew each other from high school.”

“Well, I think you ought to date him. I mean, he’s really hot.”

He looked up to see what was keeping them, and she caught Jenny waving. She slipped on her sunglasses. “I’ll let him know that.”

Shane hid his own dilemma behind dark glasses when Allison hopped into the cab of his truck. He had something to tell her, something he didn’t like to think about, and she would like even less. He’d found it out shortly after he had her vehicle towed to the tire shop this morning. Ray himself called with the disturbing message, and now he had to find a way to tell her.

He waited until they were a few miles from town, gripped the steering wheel with one hand, and reached over with the other to touch her arm. She seemed pensive, staring out the window at the farmers’ fields slipping by, and jumped at the contact.

“Before we get to the tire shop, there’s something you should know. Ray called me about the flat you had.”

She stared at him now, her chin lifting a bit. “Is there a problem?”

He returned his gaze to the road, wishing he could say no, but she had to know the truth. “It wasn’t just a nail in the tire.”

“So, what then? I don’t remember running over anything that might have—”

“You didn’t run over anything.” He glanced over at her, gauging how she would take what he had to tell her. “The tire was cut.”

She didn’t say anything, and before he focused his attention back on driving, he caught a glimpse of her frown, as if she was trying to absorb what his disturbing words meant.

After a few moments, she finally said, “Cut? As in, something cut my tire?”

“Yeah, that’s how it appears.”

“Well, that’s strange.” She turned in the truck seat, and the confusion in her voice reached out to him. “How could it happen?”

He hated giving Allison something else to worry about, but she had to know. “I stopped by the tire shop and had a look myself. The tire wasn’t just cut—more like slashed.”

“What are you saying?” Her voice rose to a higher octave. “Someone did it on purpose?”

He wanted to spare her this, she’d already been through enough, but there was no getting around it.

Shane nodded. “If it wasn’t so dark last night, we probably would have noticed.” Sudden tension filled the cab of the pickup. He switched the air-conditioning to high.

“But I…don’t understand. Who would want to slash my tire?”

He heard the tremor hidden in her words and tried to reassure her. “Kids playing pranks? Friday nights can get pretty boring around here when you’re fifteen.” His own background was not without its secrets. He knew how stupid and reckless kids could be, but he didn’t think that was the case right now.

“I don’t know of any kids around here who would do such a thing, and I know a lot of them. I work with the Young Riders program and give lessons to at least twenty. I can’t think of any kids who would do this to me.”

Unfortunately, he could think of two adults. In fact, in his mind, after the little incident in the store, they were most certainly to blame. If he had the chance, he would make sure they never bothered Allison again. He just didn’t want her to know.

“I suppose it’s possible they weren’t from around here.” Her sighed echoed in the truck cab. “There are a lot of out-of-towners staying at the lake every summer, and some get kind of rowdy. Maybe one of them did it. I guess I need to notify the police.”

“I took care of it. Thought I’d save you the hassle.”

She opened her mouth as if to protest but then just said, “Thank you. I appreciate it,” and turned back to staring out the window.

He had to wonder—did she struggle more to comprehend this latest incident, or the fact she had truly thanked Shane McBride for anything?

Allison was thankful they didn’t talk anymore until they reached Ray’s Tire Shop. She paid for the new tire and met Shane back outside, where he stood talking to Harry near O’Malley’s Bar and Grill. Harry had owned the bar forever and lived above the establishment. When he wasn’t working, he sat and watched the town of Silver Creek go by. He knew just about everybody, and if somebody wasn’t a local, he knew that, too.

The wiry Irishman nodded to Allison. “Shane here says you had a bit of a mishap with your vehicle.”

I guess it isn’t enough Shane and Ray know my business, now Harry does, too. She waved away his comment with a brief, “It’s taken care of.”

“I asked him if he’s noticed anybody hanging around the street at night. He said he’s always out late.”

The bar owner grinned at this. “I am. Haven’t seen anything lately, but I’ll keep an eye out. You okay?” He squinted at Allison.

She’d only had coffee for breakfast, and her head buzzed. She really just wanted to get home. “I’m…fine. I’m going to start back now.”

“Wait up a sec.”

Shane put out his hand to keep her from leaving. Where his fingers rested on her wrist, a tingle like a static shock jolted her, but for some reason, she couldn’t pull away.

He clapped the Irishman on the shoulder with his free hand. “Good to see you, man. You’ll remember what we talked about.”

“Sure enough, and hey, stop by soon. I’ll buy you a burger and a beer.”

Allison watched the old man hobble down the street before turning back to Shane. “What was that all about?” He still held her wrist, and as if he just realized it, his hand slid down to meet hers, lingered a second too long, and then fell away.

“Nothing important.” He checked his phone for messages. “Are you in a hurry to get back?”

Yes—she really needed to get away from him. Needed to…but wanted to? She wasn’t sure.

“Jenny is with Lizzie, and we’ve got to get ready for tomorrow.”

“Okay. Just wondered if you could spare an hour or so.”

Hope lurked in his blue eyes, and she remembered how darn persuasive he could be. One way he hadn’t changed much.

Shane started toward their vehicles parked next to the shop. “I’m heading up to see Matthew. Just thought you might go with me. We don’t need to stay long, but he’s scheduled for surgery on Monday. He doesn’t have much family, and I want to let him know not to worry about the clinic. It’s just…” He stopped walking.

She took the extra step to stand in front of him and glanced up. A strange emotion, one she swore resembled something between fear and dread, darkened his expression. “Just what?”

He shook his head and ran a hand around the back of his neck. “I hate hospitals. I haven’t been inside one since, well, for a really long time. I honestly don’t know if I can go in, but I want to see Doc before he goes under the knife.”

She tried hard not to see the silent plea in his eyes. After all he did for me since yesterday, I suppose I can do this. Anyway, it’s more for Doc Brewster.

The older man only had a niece who lived in Illinois and probably wouldn’t be here for the surgery.

She dropped her gaze. “I’ll go with you, but I need to call Jenny and let her know.” Problem was, the phone she pulled from her purse was totally out of juice.

Without a word, he handed her his.

****

Matthew Brewster lay pale and shrunken against the hospital sheets. It shocked Allison when they walked into his room. She was used to Doc’s ruddy appearance and no-nonsense attitude. To see him lying so helpless with monitors surrounding him and an IV running from his arm gave her a moment of alarm.

So much like when Grandma Ellie was in the hospital.

Much as she did then, she straightened her shoulders and went forward, Shane trailing at her heels. Doc’s eyes were closed. She called to him softly and touched one gnarled hand. He woke with a start and took a moment to focus on them. When he would have struggled to sit up, she shook her head.

“No, don’t. It’s okay.” She patted his hand in reassurance. “We just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Her heart ached for a man who was so normally active and busy, who worked from early morning until often late at night, and who knew more residents of the county than maybe even the sheriff. That he was rendered so incapacitated had to be very difficult for him.

He managed a smile for her then glanced to Shane behind her. A light of instant affection shone in the older man’s eyes. “Hey there,” he murmured. “Sandy told me you were here.”

“Came as soon as I could. Are you doing okay? Do you need anything?”

Matthew jerked his head toward the medical paraphernalia. “Only to get rid of all this, but it ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. I’m getting cut on Monday.” He motioned to his chest. “The old ticker needs some repair.”

Shane came closer to the bed. He pressed his lips together, as if holding back a sudden rush of emotion, but kept his voice even when he spoke. “Well, I’m here as long as you need me. Everything at the clinic is under control.”

His mentor relaxed, a little more at ease as his gaze came back to rest on Allison. “How about you, missy? Everything all right at your barn?”

She would never mention the strange goings on to Doc. “We’re fine, busy with summer lessons. Lizzie is going to show tomorrow.”

Matthew lifted one shaggy eyebrow. “So…how’d you two manage to come in together?”

She glanced at Shane, but he avoided her eyes and just shrugged. “We just happened along at the same time.”

After a moment, Doc motioned to his water cup. “Hey, missy, could you do me a favor? See if one of those nurses’ aides can give you some fresh ice water. Everyone’s busy this morning.”

Happy to do anything to help ease his discomfort—and the awkward tension—Allison snatched up the foam cup and disappeared down the hall.

Shane noted Matthew waited until she was out of earshot before he beckoned him closer to his bedside.

“We got some talkin’ to do, and I hoped we’d have more time. Since we don’t, I’m just gonna lay it out straight to you now.”

The man could always see through him, knew when he wasn’t telling the whole truth. From the young teenage boy he’d taken in years ago to the young man he’d sent away on the bus, Matthew had been able to read what was going on in Shane’s head. No doubt he still could. But what on earth did he want to tell him? He wished it could wait ‘til after Monday, but he sensed the urgency in Doc’s demeanor and kept silent.

“This business of mine, it’s pretty serious. They’ve told me what my chances are of not comin’ through.”

The thought of his mentor actually dying dropped like a rock in his gut. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “What’re you talking about? Of course you’ll come through.”

Matthew silenced him with a chop of his hand. “Just listen. If I don’t make it, I need for you to know everything is in order. I’ve provided for my niece and her family, so there should be no problem with them, and there’s something for Sandy, too, for all her years of working for me. But the clinic here is yours, to do with what you think is best. You want to close it down, sell it, and head back to Wyoming, it’s your choice and your right. You’ve more than kept your end of the bargain we made back when I first took you in by stayin’ in school and making something of yourself. I’ve only got one more request to make, and I want your word you’ll do it. It’ll make it a lot easier for me to face what’s comin’ my way.”

Stunned by the longest speech he’d ever heard Matthew Brewster make, Shane shook his head in bewilderment. He scrubbed a hand over his face and forced himself to keep cool. “Sure, sure. You know I’ll do it, but what’s this all about? Talking like you won’t be here—”

“And I might not. Might as well face it. All I want is to know you’ve come clean with Allison. You need to tell that gal what really happened ten years ago. She needs to know why you left here like you did. Things have changed, and it’s important now she knows the truth.”

He wanted to agree, but saying this and actually doing it were two different things. “I know she needs to know. It’s just…maybe it doesn’t even matter to her anymore.” Maybe it never did. “Could be she would just rather I went back to where I came from when this is all over.”

“Well, you don’t know until you’ve talked with her, do you? So, just promise this old man you’ll do it, talk with her. Get everything out in the open.”

He might have protested more, but Allison came back into the room, and Matthew clammed up. Shane moved away so she could put the new water cup on the bedside table. Standing in the corner, he forced himself to come to grips with what Doc had told him.

Matthew reached a shaky hand for the water, and she helped him get a drink. “I made sure there’s plenty of ice in it. Anything else I can do?”

“You know, missy, you make a pretty good nurse.” He winked at her. “Maybe you ought to change jobs.”

She set down the cup and fussed a moment longer, plumping his pillows and helping him settle back. “I think I’m better at nursing ornery horses than ornery men,” she teased but patted his arm before moving away.

In spite of his fear for Doc’s well-being, watching Allison talk with the old man gave Shane a moment of sweet pleasure. She had always been the nurturing type. He remembered how she’d help care for her ill grandmother. She hadn’t lost her touch. It was one of the things he’d loved about her, maybe one of the things he still did.

Outside the hospital, he walked slowly next to her back to his truck, thinking about what Doc had asked of him. He didn’t know if he could do it, explain it all to Allison. It would involve bringing up his past and talking about things still painful for him to even think about.

Even more painful would be finding out she didn’t care and never had. If she had, she would never have married Jason.

“It’s hard seeing Doc like that,” she spoke first. “He’s always been such a strong person, and now here he is facing surgery. I wish he had more family to be here for him.”

“He’s got us, and Sandy. I’ll come back up Monday as soon as I’m done with the clinic.”

He unlocked the passenger side door and opened it for her. Afternoon heat blasted out, and she hesitated before climbing inside the cab. This might be the moment to say something to the effect they had to talk, but when he opened his mouth, he couldn’t find the words.

Allison stared at the middle of his chest and then up at his face, and for a brief, crazy moment, it was all he could do not to throw abandon to the wind and kiss her right then and there. Trouble was, she’d probably slug him, and she’d have the perfect right.

He turned on his heel and went around to his side of the truck. For the ride back to Silver Creek, he cranked the radio up and let the music fill the silence between them.