Page 30 of Justice for Aleta

“NO! I don’t want that! We can handle this, we and the Texas crew. They’ve got it under control down there.”

He heard Cappy sigh. “I don’t like this, but okay. We can play it this way for a little while, but we’ve got to watch our step. If KDCI needs to be called in, we make the wrong decision, and somebody gets hurt, we’re all in trouble.”

“There’s nobody to arrest at this time because we don’t know where he is.”

“Yeah, yeah. And you’re right about one thing. Your place will be a whole lot more secure. Let me know when you’re there and settled and we’ll get some people out there as extra eyes.”

“Got it. Thanks, sir. I appreciate it.” He turned to Aleta. “We’re all set. You’re going to my place, and we’re going to have backup.”

“Okay. Gosh, Jack, I’m scared.” She threw a pair of socks in her little bag, then headed to the bathroom. “I’ve got shampoo and conditioner, and my face scrub and lotion, and makeup towelettes, and, oh my gosh, I don’t think I can remember everything.”

“Slow down!” Jack grabbed her by the arm as she passed him once again and pulled her up against him. “Babe. It’s okay. What you don’t remember, we can get somebody to pick up. It’s all right. I promise.”

“But I don’t want anybody to have to do that. They shouldn’t have to do my shopping. Lord have mercy, what have I gotten myself into?” Heaving out a big sigh, she sat back down on the bed. “How long will it take to get to your place?”

“About twenty minutes.”

“You have a house?” It was the first time she’d even questioned where she was going, and that worried Jack. Her resolve to be independent and strong was dissolving. That wasn’t what he wanted at all.

“Yeah. It’s not a big house, but it’s a house. It’s nice enough. We’ll be comfortable there.”

“Okay. Let me make one more pass through the bathroom. I won’t take much jewelry. I’m guessing we won’t be going out, huh?” Her voice was sad, and he caught the air of total exasperation on her face.

“Nope. ‘Fraid not. But look on the bright side. We can spend all day in bed if we want. We won’t have anywhere we have to be!”

“True.” She disappeared back into the bathroom, then reappeared and threw a few things in the bag. “Okay. I guess that’s it.”

“Good. Let’s go.” When he opened the front door, Jack stepped out and looked around. Nobody seemed to be moving, so he led her to the car, carrying her bag as they went. Once she was settled in the passenger side, he rounded the Camaro’s hood and they took off.

The drive was pleasant enough. She asked questions about this and that along the way, wondering why that house had that weird concrete chicken in the yard, how long that barn had been leaning that way, and what kind of cows those were in the field. They were within a mile of his house when he remembered something.

The huge engagement picture was hanging above the fireplace. He’d never taken it down. Now he wished he had. He couldn’t imagine how awkward that was going to be for Aleta. Sure, she had some pics of Joshua and Jorie around, but they were small and in little frames. This was enormous. Some days he stood and stared at it, trying to remember the sound of her voice or the touch of her skin, and feeling a deep sense of alarm when he sometimes couldn’t. He knew as time went by the memories would become thinner and lighter until they eventually almost disappeared, and that saddened him beyond belief.

They turned down the gravel drive and in seconds, he pulled up to the front of the house. “This is your house?” Aleta whispered.

“Yeah. Home sweet home. Come on.” He got out, came around, and helped her out of the car, then grabbed her bag as she walked slowly, jaw dragging, to the front door.

The key turned easily in the lock, and as soon as the door opened, Jack wheeled around behind it and shut off the alarm system. “Oh. My. Gosh,” Aleta breathed. “This is beautiful, Jack.Beautiful!I just… I don’t know what to say.”

Hardwood floors gleamed in the low light, and the sage green walls were warm and inviting. On one wall was a long, comfy sofa in a dark cinnamon color. The chairs adjacent to it were brown, cream, and cinnamon stripe, and each had its own brown throw. He loved the big floral area rug in the middle of the room covered in stylized flowers the same colors as the furniture with the addition of a robin’s egg blue. Blue toss pillows that matched it sat in the chairs and on the sofa, some patterned with cream and some solid. The coffee and occasional tables were dark wood with black iron bands and rivets, and the chairs had trunks for ottomans made in the same style, with cushioned tops in brown. Accessories sat here and there, and black iron, bronze lamps and light fixtures, and dark wood were everywhere.

She turned to look at the giant fireplace, its dark wood and stone sweeping from floor to ceiling, and there it was?the portrait. “Oh! Is this your fiancée?”

“Yes. Heather.”

“Leukemia, right?” Jack nodded. “How long ago?”

“Four years.”

“I’m sorry.”

“That was taken after she’d gone in remission. We waited until then to get engaged. I wanted to go ahead and get married, but she said no. She wanted to make sure she was cancer free. And before that happened, it was back. It took her and we never got the chance to say our vows. I’ll regret that to my dying day.” His voice was coarse with emotion as he finished, and he knew it, but he couldn’t help it. Just talking about her made him feel raw and vulnerable. It had only been four months for Aleta. How must she feel?

“I’m sure. She was beautiful.”

“She didn’t want to have her picture made with the turban on, but I insisted. She was so strong and determined.” He reached for Aleta’s hand and drew it to his lips. As soon as he’d placed a kiss on her knuckles, he added, “Just like you. And I’m sorry that’s still hanging there.”

“Why? She was someone you loved.”

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