Page 16 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

“Of course they are.” Mrs. Collins grabbed the platter of chicken and headed to the table. She placed it on the red and green plaid runner. “Amelia helped make the salad. She has to eat it. That was the deal.”

Amelia scrunched her nose. “Can I pick out the tomatoes? They make my tongue feel funny.”

Mrs. Collins twisted her lips to the side as if giving the question careful consideration. “Fine. As long as you eat all your chicken.”

“Deal!” Amelia jumped back into her seat. “Sit by me, Mama.”

“Are you sure there’s enough food?” she asked, settling in beside her daughter. The colorful vegetables in the salad and scent of parmesan crusted chicken made her mouth water. She hoped the answer to her question was yes because no way she could leave without sampling the food now.

“There’s plenty. The guest who came last night is in her room. Dr. Simon is stopping by soon to speak with her and look over some injuries. She doesn’t plan to come down for dinner, but I put aside some food I’ll take up later.” Mrs. Collins sat at the head of the table and passed bowls and platters around, helping to fill plates for the children.

“Did Marie mention anything else regarding what Owen said about Shawn?” Sadie was unable to stop herself from asking the question as she doused her salad with dressing. Tommy’s older brother was also a sheriff’s deputy and closer to Shawn’s age. He may have slipped details to Marie that could be beneficial.

“Not really. Or at least Marie didn’t say much. Just that she was relieved he wasn’t on the case and would be home tonight.” Laura used a fork to mash a banana on Isla’s tray beforebuttering a roll and placing it on the side of her plate. “I made sure to get here as backup right before she took off. Isla was thrilled to see her best friend, Amelia. Weren’t ya, honey?”

Isla squealed and smashed her food into her mouth.

Amelia giggled. “She’s so messy.”

Sadie debated asking Laura or Mrs. Collins if they knew anything about Shawn Downs. They’d both lived in Pine Valley their entire lives so it wasn’t farfetched to think news could travel down the mountain road to their town.

But this wasn’t the time or the place. This was a place for her to let her guard down and leave her troubles from work behind her. A place to sit and eat and visit with people she cared about and who cared for not only her, but her child as well.

Warmth finally chased the chill of the awful day from Sadie’s bones. This was her home, her family. A community she’d found who always stood beside her, helping her in whatever way they could. She’d swallow whatever questions swam in her mind about Shawn Downs and just enjoy her friends and a fabulous meal.

Tommy inhaleda deep breath of crisp, fresh air before stepping into the putrid atmosphere of Shawn’s trailer. After Sadie headed home for the evening, he decided to stop by and comb through the trailer one more time. He had nowhere else to be, and he couldn’t shake the feeling they’d missed something.

As he stepped into Shawn’s home, he pulled out his phone to call Katherine. Energy whirled through his limbs. No way he’d get his wheels to stop spinning. After he left the trailer, he might as well swing by Katherine’s and have a quick visit to talk to her about Shawn’s old buddies.

Besides, he hadn’t gotten to see his nephew in a few days. He’d use any excuse to visit with Oliver. He punched in Katherine’s contact information and waited for her to answer as he went through the living room.

“Hey, Tommy. What’s up?” Katherine’s voice came through the speaker clipped and distracted.

“You okay?” He unzipped his jacket but left it on, not trusting any surface in the space to be free of grime.

“Hmm-hmm.”

He chuckled. “Bad time? Do you want me to call you later?” He swiped his gloved hand under the dirty couch palm up.

“Sorry. Just a little distracted. How are you?”

“Fine. I’m at Shawn Downs’ place. I wanted to give the space a look myself. Had to take off earlier when I came with Deputy Pennel.” Nothing but metal springs brushed against his hand. He straightened and tossed the cushions to the floor. Empty chip bags and a plethora of crumbs strewn everywhere. “The guy lived like a pig.”

“Doesn’t surprise me.” A tinge of sadness coated her statement. “His life was a mess, so why wouldn’t his home be as well?”

“True. Did you know him? He was closer to your age than mine or Owen’s.” He gave the room one last survey then moved on to the bedroom.

“I knew him a little when we were younger. I haven’t spoken with him in years, though.”

Tommy kicked at the mounds of blankets on the floor and poked around the bed and closet. “What about his friends from high school?”

“Umm, a little. I didn’t spend much time with them. But we were acquainted. You know how it is around here. Everyone knows everyone’s business.”

Not finding anything, he hurried to the kitchen. “I’d like to talk to you about it, if you’re free this evening. I can come over when I’m done here.”

Katherine chuckled. “Do you really think you need to come over to have this conversation, or do you just want to see Oliver?”

He peeked through the open cabinets then stepped into the bathroom. The scent of something rotten wrinkled his nose the moment he crossed the threshold, and he covered his nostrils with his elbow. “You caught me.”

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