Something Borrowed, Something Bleu Part 3

A young woman had fallen in a nearly frozen river east of town. The owner of the property had rescued her and driven her into town, but she died of hypothermia on the way.

A sixteen-year-old girl had been attacked by a mountain lion in the Poudre Canyon, but survived when her uncle threw a rock at the big cat and hit it on the head. From what I could tell, he was a bit of a local celebrity for about a week, but the girl was badly mauled and required plastic surgery.

A young man riding a bicycle in the early morning hours had been hit by a vehicle which had then sped off without stopping. No one had found him for an hour, by which time he was half frozen and could barely talk. He was in the hospital for two days before succ.u.mbing to his injuries.

And a woman had severely beaten another young man whoad sneaked into her bedroom and tried to steal her underwear. She was quoted as saying, aThey were my granny pants, too! I just donat get some people.a Head required hospitalization, but survived to raid panties another day.

Hurrying, I printed out copies of the articles, thanked the reference librarian for her help, and hightailed it out to the Subaru. Unfortunately, Iad forgotten to put the fold-out shade in the front window, so it was broiling inside. Cursing, I started the engine and gingerly turned the burning steering wheel toward home with my fingertips.

My mother was on me like white on rice the second I walked through the door. Looking over her shoulder toward the kitchen table where Meghan and Erin sat talking and eating cookies, she hissed, aI have to talk to you,a and strode toward her den. Bewildered, I followed behind. As soon as I cleared the threshold, she clicked the door shut behind me.

aGood Lord, Anna Belle, whatas wrong?a She turned to face me, and alarm trilled through me at the look on her face. Iad rarely seen her so upset.

aItas gone.a aWhat?a aBobby Leeas letter. Itas gone.a Uh oh.

aSomeone took it, Sophie Mae.a Her voice shook.

Oh, G.o.d. There was just no way out of this. My lips pulled back in an apologetic grimace. aItas okay. I have it.a She stared at me.

aItas safe,a I reached into my tote bag and handed it to her. aSee?a Taking it, she gazed down at the envelope for a moment. aBut a Her eyes met mine. aHow did ?a aI needed to show it to Tabby.a Anger flared behind her eyes as she a.s.similated what Iad said. aYou took it out of the house? Without even asking me?a I nodded. aYouad already left. I needed to be able to show her, to see if shead tell me what it meant.a She walked to the bookshelf. Turned. aAnd how exactly did you know where to find it?a My inner child whimpered, but I squared my shoulders and said, aI followed a hunch.a I shrugged. aTurned out I was right.a Surprise warred with the anger on her face. Then they gave way to an expression of amused admiration.

Now I was confused.

Her lips quirked up in a half grin.

aWhatas so funny?a aIf only you could see your face. You look like you did when you were eight years old, and I caught you sitting on the floor of your closet eating a whole bag of Oreos.a Great. aWell, Iam glad youare not upset.a Her eyes hardened. aOh, Iam upset all right. You had no right to come into my private s.p.a.ce and snoop around. I didnat raise you that way. What were you thinking?a But her earlier smile mitigated her current scolding, and I answered truthfully. aI told you. I needed that letter to show Tabby. Do you or do you not want me to get to the bottom of what happened eighteen years ago?a Her lips pressed into a thin line. A long moment of silence as she weighed how to respond. Then, aYou could have called me, asked where the letter was, told me you wanted to take it.a I bowed my head. aYouare right. I could have called.a Old habits had dictated my actions. aI should have.a aAnd I donat suppose it occurred to you to take a copy of the letter, instead of the original?a She nodded toward the combination printer/copier in the corner behind her desk.

aEr,a I said, feeling more chastened by the moment.

She stepped over to the machine, opened it, and placed the letter and envelope on the gla.s.s surface. As the copies printed, I said, aI took it to the post office, too. To ask about how it could have taken so long to come back.a aI want to hear everything. Here.a She handed me copies of the note and the envelope.

We heard the front door close, and my fatheras voice filtered through to the den. He sounded enthusiastic about something.

Anna Belle looked at me expectantly.

I turned and opened the door. aCome on. Letas join the others.a Behind me, she made a small sound of protest, but had no choice but to follow me to the kitchen.

_____.

aThis is so incredibly yummy,a Meghan said, taking another bite of bread and b.u.t.ter.

aWho knew something so mundane could be so tasty?a my mother added, licking her lips.

We sat around the table, sampling the cultured b.u.t.ter Tabby had given me. Iad picked up a loaf of rustic ciabatta at the Spring Creek Bakery on the way home. Dad was at the counter, dressing the trout a friend had given him with lemon and dill. Thatas what head been so excited about: scoring the fresh fish. Erin had gone upstairs to change out of her hiking clothes. Bright sunburn swooped across Meghanas perky little nose, and her freckles stood out in stark relief. Anna Belle had just finished lecturing her on the strength of the sun at high alt.i.tude and broken off a piece of the aloe vera plant on the window sill for my friend to rub on her burn.

aSo did you make this?a Meghan asked me now.

aNo. Tabby did, but tomorrow Iall learn how.a aYou know, Europeans regularly culture their b.u.t.ter.a There was a tang of self-satisfaction in Dadas voice.

aAnd we donat in America? Then where does cultured b.u.t.termilk come from?a Meghan asked.

aIn most cases, the b.u.t.termilk itself is cultured, rather than the cream before itas churned into b.u.t.ter.a Erin entered the kitchen and plopped down on a chair. aYou churned b.u.t.ter today? G.o.d, Sophie Mae. Donat you think this whole pioneer woman thing is getting out of control?a aActually, I didnat. Maybe tomorrow, though Iad be surprised if we use a churn. More likely a food processor. Not exactly like sitting on the front porch working a dasher.a aWhatas a dasher?a aThe handle thingie that you move up and down in a traditional b.u.t.ter churn.a aSee what I mean?a she said. aYou know what a dasher is. Do you know how weird that is?a aHey!a I protested.

She shook her head. aIam going down to that park I saw at the end of the block. See if I can find someone normal to hang out with.a She stood.

aAhem,a Meghan said.

Erin paused. aI mean, is it okay if I go down to that park?a Meghan hesitated, then nodded. aOkay. But be back in an hour.a Erin shrugged. aWhatever.a Meghan watched her go, and then we heard the front door open and close. She turned back to us with a frustrated expression. aI donat know whatas gotten into her.a Anna Belle laughed. aYears. And there will only be more. Brace yourself.a aOh, come on. I wasnat that bad, was I?a I asked.

aYou never got into any serious trouble, but boy did you have some att.i.tude on you when you were growing up.a Meghan snorted. aLike thatas changed.a I made a face at her, then looked at Anna Belle. aGee, I wonder where I would have learned att.i.tude.a A smile flitted across my fatheras face. aIt sounds like you got a chance to do a little extra credit work at the dairy. How is Tabby?a aShe seems happy. Has a fifteen-year-old daughter.a Meghan looked sympathetic.

aAnd sheas going to give me private cla.s.ses on cheese making, so Iall be at the dairy for a while every day. And day after tomorrow, Iam going to take the mold-ripened cheese cla.s.s.a aCan I come?a Meghan asked.

aI donat see why not. Tabby said it hardly ever fills up.a Her eyes twinkled. aExcellent.a aI showed her Bobby Leeas letter.a My motheras eyes widened in alarm, flicking sideways to my dad.

aItas okay,a I said to her. aHe already knows about the letter.a She blinked, then whirled around. aYou do?a His lips twitched. aUh huh.a She looked pointedly at me.

aWhat? I didnat tell him. He already knew before we got here.a Her attention returned to him. aCalvin! How long have you known? How did you find out? Why didnat you say something?a aPick one,a he said.

aOne what?a aQuestion.a His smile widened.

aBut howaoh, never mind.a Anna Belle scowled at us both. I couldnat blame her. By now she must suspect she didnat have any secrets left. I wondered whether Dad had read the old high school love letters. Even I hadnat stepped over the line that far.

Dad settled at the table with us. aTell us what you found out, Sophie Mae.a So I did, including my visits to the post office, Celeste Atwoodas house, and the library, and what I had discovered.

Which, after Iad gone over everything, wasnat much. aSo I spent most of my day trying to track down information and came up with a big fat zero. Sorry.a Dad shook his head. aThatas not true. You found out Tabbyas mother returned the letter and Tabby knew nothing about it. And you found out Tabby herself either doesnat know what Bobby Lee meant, or wonat tell you. Believe it or not, thatas progress.a aThe mystery of how that letter appeared out of nowhere has only deepened, though,a I said.

Anna Belle drummed her fingernails on the table, looking out the window.

aWhat are you thinking?a I asked.

Her attention came back to us. aYou said you printed out the newspaper articles you found at the library?a I got up and removed the pages from my bag. aRight here.a She held out her hand. aLet us take a look at them. Maybe we can help.a Handing her the printouts, I said, aI hope so. I need all the help I can get.a My mother stood. aIall see what I can do. And then, after dinner?a I waited.

She smiled. aWe can go over the progress I made on your wedding plans while you were gone today.a aWhat? Anna Belle!a She left the room, and I turned to Dad and Meghan. aDid you hear that? Sheas planning my wedding without me.a Meghan laughed. aThere are people who would pay for that service, and here you are, getting it for free. Now, what kind of cheese did you make today?a aMozzarella,a I grumbled.

aReally? Can we do it at home?a I launched into a detailed description of the process while my housemate listened with interest, my motheras wedding-related antics hovering in the back of my mind.

Not until after a dinner of grilled trout, green beans, and caprese saladamade with tomatoes and basil from Anna Belleas kitchen garden and the tennis-ball-sized round of fresh mozzarella Iad brought home from cla.s.sadid I have a chance to follow up with my mother regarding my wedding.

But first I stopped by my old bedroom to say goodnight to Erin. I found her sitting in bed, Kitty Wampus draped across her legs. The beast cracked one eye when I came into the room, then gave a languid stretch and returned to full slumber.

Erin barely glanced up from her Philip Pullman novel when I sat on the edge of the bed.

aHey,a I said.

aHey,a she mumbled.

aI bet you miss Brodie, huh.a Her corgi was staying with our neighbor, Mrs. Gray, while we were gone.

She shrugged. aI guess.a That was weird. She loved that dog.

aErin.a She looked up at me from under her eyebrows without raising her head.

aAre you mad at me? Did I do something?a aNo.a aThen why are you acting like this?a Big sigh from Erin. aActing like what?a aWell, like youare mad at me.a Yet another shrug. I felt like putting her in a straitjacket.

I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. aListenawhen you want to tell me, Iall be here to listen. Okay?a Our eyes met for a few moments. Raw vulnerability shone from hers. aIam sorry I havenat been very nice.a aCan you tell me whatas going on?a She blinked and shook her head. aNothing.a aErinaa aCan I read now?a She returned to her book, effectively ignoring me.

I leaned back and watched her for a few moments. Yes, something was definitely up. It almost made me feel better to know that, because it meant that this bright and funny girl had not somehow morphed into a rude pre-teen. This wasnat about att.i.tude, or at least not only about att.i.tude.

Shead tell me or Meghan when she was ready. But shead better be ready soon, because I was getting tired of being treated like an enemy.

As Iad expected, Anna Belle was working at her desk. I cleared a pile of books off one end of an old carved bench and sat down, leaning my back against the wall.

aWhat are you working on?a I asked.

She pushed the pile of papers aside. aFinals. Marketing 101. Summer course.a I took the bull by the horns. aYou mentioned something earlier about wedding details?a There: my voice was calm, my words carefully chosen to sidestep conflict.

She dropped her red pen on the desk blotter and leaned back in her chair with a satisfied look on her face. aNot much. Just checked on the schedule of a certain judge who lives near that perfect venue weave talked about. Oh, and I talked to a friend of mine whoas a florist, and she had some very nice suggestions for arrangements.a Suddenly she was gus.h.i.+ng. aWhat do you think of gerbera daisies? Have you decided on your colors? And are you planning to wear white? I know itas not strictly traditional for second weddings, but more and more people are doing it, you know. Itas perfectly acceptable.a She launched to her feet and began pacing behind the desk while I looked on, slack-jawed. aWe really have to get the invitations put together first. Good Lord, Sophie Mae, you havenat left much time for planning, now have you? Iall tell you what: Get me a guest list by tomorrow, and Iall get right to work on ordering the invitations.a aStop,a I said.

aAt least we wonat have any problem booking the Horseshoe Guest Ranch, given it belongs to your future in-laws, butaa aStop.a This time she stopped. Stared at me. aNow, you werenat serious about not having a real wedding, were you?a aAbsolutely. Positively. Is there any other word I can use to get that through your head?a Her excitement and high energy disappeared, as if all the air had been released from her balloon. aI talked to Ca.s.sie Ambrose, you know. Sheas thrilled at the idea of you and Barr getting married at their place.a I sighed. Barras family owned a guest ranch a few hours north, in Wyoming. For weeks now Anna Belle had lobbied for us to get married in the main lodge. Iad seen pictures of the ranch on their website and had to admit it looked beautiful. I had yet to meet any of Barras familyawe hadnat even been dating for a year before getting engaged, and we hadnat had a chance to make it back to Wyoming during that time. However, I frequently spoke with his mother, Ca.s.sie, on the phone, and I loved her to death.

No, the sticking point with getting married at the Ambroseas Horseshoe Ranch wasnat the facilities or Barras family. It was his brother Randallas girlfriend who had worked at the ranch for years.

Who happened to be Barras ex-wife.

And looked freakishly like me.

Wead had our difficulties beforeaone encounter involved a handgunaand I just couldnat imagine having to deal with Hannah on my wedding day. Still, I didnat say anything to Anna Belle about that. For one thing I didnat think shead be all that sympathetic, and for another, I felt like a big baby.

I let out a slow, deep breath. aIall talk to Barr about it.a Her eyes brightened at that and the corners of her mouth turned up. aExcellent. Now, about those gerberas a _____.

aSo thatas all I know so far,a I said. After Barr updated me on the house renovation, Iad filled him in on my day.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then he said, aAre you sure you want to pursue this thing?a aThe cheese making?a aNo,a he said. aNot the cheese making.a Okay, so I was being deliberately obtuse. His question had taken me off guard, though. I sighed. aI want to know why Bobby Lee did it, really I do. Itas just thereas something almost obscene about digging around in his life, trying to unearth his secrets.a If not obscene, then at least selfish.

But what Bobby Lee had done had been selfish, too.

aDo me a favor, okay? Donat do this only for your mother,a Barr said.

aOf course not. Believe me, Iam doing it for myself. Did I ever tell you that I tried to find out what happened back then? I talked to his friends, searched his room from top to bottom, checked out the places he secretly stashed thingsaall trying to figure out why head done it.a aI didnat know that.a aIave always wondered, Barr. I wasnat very good at finding things out then. But this time maybe Iall be able to provide some closureafor myself and for my parents.a Even I could hear the bouncy note Iad injected into my voice. It sounded totally fake.

aIam afraid youall find out things you donat want to know,a Barr said.

aI understand that, and you might be right. But I still have to do this. No way Iam going to stop now. Thereas a story behind what happened, and I couldnat live with myself if I didnat track down what it is.a He was silent for a few moments. aOkay. I wonat try to stop you. In fact, Iam proud of you. If anyone can get at that story, you can. Be careful, though.a A warm glow pa.s.sed through me. aI miss you.a aI miss you, too.a aAre you going to be able to come out here? Meet my folks and all?a I wanted him there by my side.

aDay after tomorrow, darlina. Wednesday. Everythingas set up with Robin and Sergeant Zahn.a Robin Lane was the other Cadyville Police detective. aBut I can only stay for a few days before Iam due back. Besides, I want to keep an eye on the construction at the house.a aOh, Barr, thatas great! I mean, I wish it could be for longer, but Iall take what I can get.a I couldnat keep the excitement out of my voice.

aI thought everything was going well.a aIt is. I still want you here. I need all the allies I can get. Besides, I happen to like you.a aAh. Well, back atcha. Good thing weare getting married, eh? And it sure sounds like youare making great inroads on the wedding plans.a aUmm. Who have you been talking to?a aMy mother, of course.a aWhoas been talking to my mother,a I said.

aAlso, of course.a aBarr?a aYeah a aDo you want to get married at your familyas ranch?a aAh,a he said.

aAh, what?a aHannah.a aHannah,a I confirmed.

aIs she a deal breaker?a he asked.

I considered. aWead talked about simply going to the courthouse in Was.h.i.+ngton and keeping things easy. Now it sounds like youad really prefer to get married in Wyoming.a A few moments pa.s.sed before he said, aIad like to, but I wonat insist.a That gave me pause. It was one thing to blow off my mother or his mother, but not Barr. He was doing an awful lot for me, selling his house and moving in with Meghan and Erin and me. The least I could do was agree to have our wedding on the ranch where head grown up.

Ex-wife or no ex-wife.

Iad just have to buck up and do it. aOkay, then. Itas a deal. I can handle Miss Hannah, donat you worry.a aYou sure? Iall talk to my brother. And to Hannah, if youad like.a Yeah, because that had worked so well in the past. Ha.

aThatas okay,a I said. aItall be fine.a We progressed on to silly sweet nothings for a while, then said goodnight.

On my way to bed, I stopped by my old bedroom again. This time I found Meghan in bed reading one of Dadas cookbooks. Beside her, Erin snored softly. Her mouth was slightly open, and Kitty Wampus had moved up to curl inside her arm.

I smiled. aThe alt.i.tude takes it out of you for the first few days youare here.a aSo does hiking up a mountain,a Meghan said. aIam about to nod off myself.a She took off her half-gla.s.ses. aAny idea why this child of mine is so grumpy all of a sudden?a I shook my head. aHormones?a aI donat think so. Her behavior is so out of the blue. Sheas always been such a good kid.a Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gave Meghan a hug. aShe still is. Donat worry. Itall be okay.a aIall see if I can get her to open up when we go up to Estes Park tomorrow. What will you do while weare gone?a aRemember? Iam going over to Tabbyas to learn more about milk cultures.a She squinted at me. aAnd? Besides following up on this new obsession with all things dairy?a aNaturally Iall try to talk to Joe. See what he has to say.a I shook my head. aI still canat get over that letter showing up after eighteen years.a aYeah. Pretty weird, huh.a aConvenient, even.a aHmmm. For whom?a aThatas a very good question.a aAny ideas?a aNot yet. Iall see you in the morning. When are you leaving for Estes?a aRight after breakfast.a aItas beautiful up there. Youare going to love it. Maybe youall even get to hear Floraas ghost play the piano in the Stanley Hotel.a Meghan grimaced at the mention of one of the many ghosts said to haunt the stately and historic hotel. aNo wonder it inspired The s.h.i.+ning.a aOh, camon. Itas not like youare going to stay the night,a I said. aThatas when theyare all supposed to come out and play.a She yawned. aErin wanted to, but I nixed that idea.a aSpoil sport.a aOf course. But I want to get back a little early. Kellyas flying into Denver tomorrow afternoon. Your mother said he could stay here.a She tossed that out casually, but couldnat keep the note of joy out of her voice.

aThatas great! And Barr just told me heas flying in on Wednesday.a I gave her another hug. aYouad better get some rest. Sleep tight.a It would be a crowded house for a few days, but wead manage.

I left her to her book and went down the hallway. After climbing into bed, I wheeled the dial on the clock radio to NPR and cracked open a book on meditation Dad had recommended. But I found myself distracted over and over again, my gaze drifting from the page to wander around the room.

Last night Anna Belleas redecoration had been all I could see. Tired and feeling a little bamboozled, Iad tumbled into slumber with only fleeting thoughts of Bobby Lee.

Perhaps it was the earlier talk of ghosts and haunting. Perhaps I just wasnat as tired tonight. Or maybe talking about him with his old girlfriend had brought my brother not only to the foreground of my mind, but right into the room with me.

aBobby Lee?a I whispered.

The only response was a mild breeze rustling the lilac bush outside my open window. Well, of course that was the only response. What was I, ten? Still, I found myself closing my eyes and listening carefully to the leaves muttering against each other. They began to tell stories, and I saw Bobby Lee walking down a dirt road. He was holding hands with a girl, and she was holding hands with another boy, and he The knock on the door sent me a foot into the air. Uninvited, my mother entered the room to find me wide-eyed, palm pressed to my chest where my heart was trying to hammer its way right through my ribs, thankyouverymuch.

aWhatas the matter with you?a she asked.

aNothing.a aNothing, my foot. You look like youave seen a ghost.a I swallowed. aMust have fallen asleep reading. You startled me.a She held me in her gaze for a few more seconds, then seemed to accept my explanation. aI wanted to say good night before going to bed. Iall take a look at those newspaper articles before I go to sleep.a She turned back to the door.

aGood night, Anna Belle,a I said.

She paused. Spoke without turning around. aAnd thank you. I wanted to say thank you.a aI havenat done anything yet.a Now she threw a look over her shoulder. aYes. You have. Youave decided to help me find out what happened.a aIam doing it for me, too, you know. And Dad.a She hesitated. aI know. Good night.a aaNight.a But the door was already closing behind her.

I got up and shut the closet door before turning off the light. As a kid Iad never believed in monsters under the bed; the closet, though, that was a different thing. And being back in the house Iad grown up in always made me regress in new and creative ways. I could hardly wait to see what other aberrant behavior from my youth would surface in the next few days.

Bleah.

Instead of listening to the leaves tell more stories, I found myself drifting off while thinking of Barr. Marrying Barr. A life with Barr.

I slept like a baby.

_____.

The smell of pancakes on the stove teased me awake. As I hurriedly threw on shorts and T-s.h.i.+rt, I envisioned my dadas summer breakfast specialty: raspberry-studded b.u.t.termilk pancakes doused with thick maple syrup. Sure enough, when I hit the kitchen the first thing I saw was Erin tucking in to just that.