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ABE KURST WAS PLACED under arrest and closed in the back of the sheriff’s car. Once he was secured, I was smothered with good intentions. First (and worst) was Barbara Ann, who insisted I should see a doctor, despite the fact that I was totally fine. Then she wanted me to spend the night at her place so “we” would know I was safe. “It isn’t like Kurst heads a gang of thugs who are going to come after me out of revenge for his arrest, Barbara. He won’t get bail again now. I’m fine.”
Next she decided I should call Lars and talk with him about it, to “come to terms” with what had happened.
“He’s at work. It’s—I don’t know—three o’clock in Albuquerque.”
“He won’t mind.”
“Barbara Ann Evans, it isn’t like we’ve never faced nasty people before. I’m pretty tough.”
I did not admit how reassuring it had been to have her put her arms around me and ask if I was okay. I’d had a flashback to a time on the school bus when one of the bigger boys had shoved me out of the seat he wanted and Barbara went at him like Wolverine on a mission. Ignoring the bus driver’s efforts to calm her down, she’d told the kid specifically what would happen to him if he ever touched her little sister again. She’d scared him all the way to the front, where he sought the protection of the driver. She’d even scared me, and I was the beneficiary of her outburst. Barbara doesn’t often lose control, but when she does, it’s epic.
Then Rory’s truck came roaring into my driveway. He looked terrible and smelled worse, apparently from working at a fire all afternoon. We assured him we were fine, and he didn’t go on about aftereffects and my ability to cope with what had happened. Rory and I understand each other, and he knows I can handle myself.
Then Faye arrived, and we went through the whole thing again. Was I all right? Did I want to stay in town with them? Had I called Lars? It was both irritating and soothing. The adrenalin buildup in my system dissipated as my sisters clucked over me and Rory conferred with the remaining sheriff’s deputy. Suddenly all I wanted was a nap, and I told them that. I assured Faye I had leftovers to warm up, so she didn’t need to make my supper. I promised Rory and the deputy I’d be in touch in the morning. I promised Barbara I’d call Lars. Finally, they got into their cars and left. I’ll admit there was a let-down when it got quiet. I felt sleepy yet restless, and I took Styx inside with me. Lying down on my couch, I covered myself with one of Mom’s quilts. Styx hopped onto his, turned around a few times, and settled in. No doubt he had his own surge of adrenalin to sleep off.
Inside his cage, the puppy curled up for a rest too. I’d let him out a few times to explore the house, but he was a little afraid of Styx. Though my big baby would never hurt the little guy on purpose, Styx is full of affectionate energy, which puts some people and dogs off. That morning I’d found the puppy backed into a corner, with Styx doing the jump-and-crouch move that means he wants to play. His message escaped the new kid, who whined in fear every time Styx jumped. The pup seemed calmer with a wall of mesh between the two of them.
When it was eight o’clock in New Mexico I called Lars, not to tell him what had happened, no sense burdening him with a story that would only make him worry, but just to hear his voice.
“Hey, Babe,” he said when he answered. “How’s the temperature in the frozen North?”
“Pretty mild for December,” I replied.
“Darn! I was hoping the cold would drive you to warmer climates.”
“I can’t miss the Christmas lights reflecting off the first big snow, Lars. And I hope to get in a few trail rides before the end of the year.”
He hesitated, absorbing the message. “Sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll fly up for a few days.”
“That would be great.”
“We’ll talk then, right?”
It was me who hesitated this time. “Right.”
“Have you told them?”
“Um, not yet.”
There was a pause, and I knew what he was thinking. “I’ll see if I can fly in soon,” he said. “Next weekend, maybe.”
He was offering moral support for when I told my sisters my decision, but the problem was I wasn’t sure I’d made it yet. Maybe a specific date would help. I had to tell them before Lars came because it would be cowardly to do otherwise. “Good. You’ll get to see the house all decorated for the holidays.”
Which reminded me I should check my poor Wise Man’s condition. No telling what injuries he’d sustained saving me from the Attack of the Evil Dog Abuser.
When Lars and I said our good nights, many things on our minds had not been discussed. He was obviously trying not to push, and I was obviously unsure what I wanted to do. Still, I was sure things would work out over time. Life has a way of forcing your hand, and you can’t delay a decision forever.
