Page 5 of Coming Home

CHAPTER 2

APRIL—MAPLE COVE

Jackson cracked his window as he drew closer to Maple Cove, wanting to smell the hint of sea breeze in the air. He inhaled deeply and caught it. Slight—but still there, and so very familiar. He rolled up the window, though, wanting to keep the cold air out for now. Once he reached Boo’s house, the first thing he wanted to do was go for a long walk along the beach.

It was now April, two months since the conclusion of the McGreer trial. Though Jackson’s goal had been to get out of L.A. quickly, it had taken almost ten days before he actually left. First had come a lengthy talk with a disgruntled Bill Watterscheim, who couldn’t understand why Jackson wanted to dissolve their partnership and return to his hometown to practice-of-all-trades law. Bill had been raised in San Francisco and liked all the advantages of a big city, including the large clientele to draw from.

Fortunately, one of the attorneys Jackson had suggested to replace him in the two-man firm had been thrilled to come on board. Bill had insisted Jackson take the buyout, telling him it would help him purchase Clancy’s practice and hopefully have something left over to help him with housing. Jackson had said his goodbyes to the staff and spent a final, private few minutes with Bill, passing along what Sarah Peterson had shared regarding Gerard McGreer. Bill had been just as appalled as Jackson with what the juror shared. His partner had pushed for them to go to the judge in the case or even Lisa Fennel, the prosecutor.

He had shut down that idea, knowing no good could come from it. Because of double jeopardy, Gerard McGreer couldn’t be tried for the same crimes again. New charges of jury tampering weren’t feasible, especially with no proof. Jackson also believed it would imperil Sarah and her baby if they came forward, and he shared that with Bill, asking his partner if he would be willing to be responsible for that woman and her baby being murdered. Jackson had no doubt McGreer would carry through with his previous threat, despite Sarah voting as she had been blackmailed to do.

Finally, Bill had agreed, saying he appreciate the warning about McGreer, and would never represent him again if he came to the office.

After that, Jackson cleaned out his desk and took a few days to pack. He placed his furniture in storage and packed up his clothes. He rented his condo on a monthly basis, having sunk the majority of his money into the practice and not having enough left over for a down payment on a home despite his healthy income. His lease ran out at the end of each month, and he informed his landlord he would not be renewing, eating the final two weeks as he headed out of L.A. for a much-needed road trip to clear his head.

Jackson had visited Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho over the past several weeks, stopping when the spirit moved him, staying at out of the way inns and motels. He had spent time hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Tetons before crossing into southern Idaho and finally Oregon. The time spent alone had helped him to relax and ground himself. He hadn’t picked up a newspaper or turned on a TV. He only sporadically checked his phone for e-mails and answered very few of them.

He had called Willow as he drove across the Arizona desert. They’d had a heart-to-heart talk about the McGreer trial and how it had tainted his soul. He refrained, however, from mentioning what Sarah had shared with him, merely telling his sister that he was ready to leave the big city behind and become Clancy 2.0.

They had spoken at least once a week during his time on the road and again last night, when he told her he would arrive in the Cove today. For now, he would stay with his sister and Dylan at Boo’s. Their grandmother had left her house to both of them, but with Willow’s marriage, Jackson had told his sister to take the house. Willow, like Boo, was an artist, and the house had a large studio on the top floor ideal for her to use. Willow mentioned to him in their last conversation that they would need to work out the details regarding the rest of Boo’s estate once he arrived in the Cove, wishing for Jackson to take the bulk of what had been left in the bank and savings accounts.

He entered the Cove’s limits, passing Fred Bell’s gas station. Willow had kept Jackson apprised of the recent happenings in the Cove, including Fred’s wife setting fire to the apartment located above Sid’s Diner, where Willow’s college roommate, Tenley Thompson, had been living. Tenley had recently married Dylan’s best friend, Carter Clark, who came from a local family of firefighters. The Bells had been Carter’s in-laws, and Wilma Bell had gone off the deep end when Carter became engaged to Tenley, feeling Carter was being disloyal to his wife, who had died five years ago. Wilma herself, in a twist of fate, had died of smoke inhalation from a fire in her own home.

Reaching the square, Jackson slowed to a crawl, passing by familiar restaurants and stores, along with new additions. He passed Buttercup Bakery, remembering the owner had catered food for Boo’s memorial. He couldn’t remember her name, only that Willow had become friendly with the woman.

He turned away from the square, promising himself he’d order a pizza from Crust ’n Stuff soon. Willow said the owners of the pizza parlor were from New York, and their pizza was New York style. Though he’d never been to New York, Jackson liked any kind of pizza and was eager to try it.

His focus turned to the small law office on one corner of the square, located next to the town barber. Clancy Nelson had occupied the space for as long as Jackson could remember.

This would become his office.

He had yet to speak with Clancy. As far as the other attorney knew, Jackson would contact him sometime close to the Fourth of July and provide Clancy with an answer as to whether or not he wished to take over Clancy’s law practice. Willow was the only person who knew Jackson had left L.A. for good and would be moving to the Cove. Jackson had sworn her to secrecy.

Tonight, he would tell his new brother-in-law of his plans and contact Clancy. They could have a long chat tomorrow and discuss the transition. Jackson wasn’t certain he wanted to leap into things immediately, but he didn’t want to wait until July. Maybe they could reach a compromise in the middle regarding when Clancy would step away and Jackson would take up the reins.

Turning off the square, he made his way to Boo’s house. How he missed his grandmother, the woman who had raised him. He vaguely remembered his parents. Their youth. Their vitality. Their constant air of good cheer. He did recall a book his mom had read him at bedtime—Hop on Pop—and his dad trying to teach him how to play catch. They had been snatched away in the prime of their lives. Boo had become mother and grandmother to Willow and him. His memories of growing up in the Cove were fond ones.

He hoped he now made the right decision of returning to practice law in Barton County.

Minutes later, he pulled into the long driveway and drove to its end. Tall trees were to his right, separating Boo’s house from Gillian Roberts, the closest neighbor and a woman who had become like an aunt to the Martin orphans. In the other direction lay the ocean and a path going down to it, the private cove where he and Willow had spent so many afternoons playing.

As Jackson climbed from his car, the door opened. Shadow came bounding down the stairs, Willow not far behind the dog.

“Hello, boy,” he said, petting the pup after it came to a stop, looking up at him. “Good dog.”

“He is a good dog,” his sister declared, throwing her arms around her brother. “It’s so good to have you here. I can’t believe you’re finally home.”

He returned her hug, suddenly feeling very sentimental.

“You really are going to stay? For good?” she asked anxiously.

“That’s the plan.”

She smiled broadly. “It’s been so hard not to tell Dylan about this, but I’ve kept quiet. Just as you asked.”

“I’ll tell him at dinner tonight. I’ll also need to set up an appointment with Clancy before he hears from someone else that I’m back in town.”

Jackson popped his trunk and claimed the two suitcases which he hadn’t opened since he’d been on the road. He’d lived with everything he’d placed in his duffel bag and backpack. Willow came and claimed both of those for him, and they went inside the house. He carried up his luggage, and she led him to his old bedroom.

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