Ghost River Jon Coon (free reads TXT) 📖

You made a baby with me. I’d say that counts more than a promise to a dead guy. What’s he going to do? You need to worry about what I’m going to do.”

“Cas, I still care about you, but if you hurt them there’ll be no place you can hide.”

“Goodbye, darlin’. Sweet dreams.” She grabbed her bag and stormed out.

On the way home, he went to the vet’s to rescue Smith, who while still limping was happy to see him and eager to rejoin her family. Smith rode sitting as close to Gabe as she could get with the console and computer bracket in her way. “Oh, girl, I’ve messed up again,” Gabe confided and scratched her head. “I’m glad you still love me, ’cause the future is looking grim.”

CHAPTER 28

1900

Back at Gabe’s RV that evening, Carol and Emily had been busy. A new, yellow Ford Mustang convertible was in the drive with boxes of new clothes filling the back seat.

“Mom let me pick it out,” Emily said, her excitement meter pegged. “It’s going to be mine when I’m old enough.”

“Terrific,” Gabe said, a bit stunned.

They went in, and Gabe settled in one of the swivel rockers. Carol and Emily dropped on the couch.

“The construction guys will be at the camp tomorrow with dozers to clean up the lot. I used two of the websites with reviews to pick them out. I called three contractors: These guys weren’t the cheapest, but they have the best reviews, and they aren’t that much higher.”

“Okay.”

“I’m meeting a realtor on Monday, and I’ve been online looking at log homes. One story, four bedrooms, big porches, open floor plan, double garage, timber, cedar, and stone exterior. That sound about right?”

“Great. How long to build it?”

“They are kit-built, so when the materials are delivered everything is already cut to fit. That means it goes up quick, less than three months. We can drive up to North Carolina and see them being built. I love the cabin look. It will be perfect.”

“Think we might want to buy the property before you buy the house?”

“Can’t we do it this week? This is exciting.”

“Are you coming with me to see Paul tomorrow?” Gabe asked.

“He called. We’re going to lunch,” she replied.

“Okay, that’s good. Let’s take the dogs for a run, and you can tell me all about how we’re going to pay for this.” He grabbed a ball cap and held open the door.

After dinner out and rocking chairs under the awning, Gabe settled on the couch while the girls retreated to the bedroom. Gabe lay awake, staring into the darkness. He heard Carol and Emily laughing in the bedroom and was overcome with a sense of dread. If I tell her about Cas, will it ruin everything?

He remembered the fiery creole girl, full of life and passion. His heart ached at the bitter young woman she had become. Was it his fault, as she claimed? He closed his eyes and prayed for understanding, compassion, and forgiveness. He was falling asleep when Smith came to his face, quietly crying.

He rubbed her head, “Does it hurt, girl?” She moaned softly.

He got her meds from the cabinet, and she chewed them without argument and walked to the door. He followed, and they both went out.

While he waited for Smith, Gabe eased into a double lounge rocker, enjoying the view of a full moon and a million stars. His thoughts drifted. First to Nancy Bodine and Wilson Corbitt. Their lives taken and what they had missed. Then to Zack Greenly and how his life had been altered by the murder of his father and mother, and he thought sadly about Charlie and the pain his death was causing his family. He thought about his mother and how her brutal murder had changed his own life forever. Pain and loneliness were everywhere. Is it worth the risk to love anyone if, in reality, you are powerless to protect them? Are what could be only fleeting moments of love worth decades of pain? “What do you think, girl?” he asked Smith when she returned to his side. She put her head on his knee, offering complete understanding and empathy but no answers.

The RV door opened and Carol, wrapped in a blanket, came down the stairs. “I couldn’t sleep either, so I made herbal tea. It will help.” She sat beside him and scratched Smith’s head lovingly.

“What were you two talking about?” she asked.

He sipped the tea. “About how nice it is to have someone bring you tea in the middle of the night.” He wrapped his arm around her and they rocked in silence until the tea was gone and night chill sent them back inside.

Carol was first up making coffee, and by seven thirty she and Gabe were on the way to meet the construction crew at the river camp. Gabe called the prison to set up a meeting with Stony Waller for that afternoon.

At the camp Gabe’s gun safe, the refrigerator, stove, and claw-foot bathtub were the only things still standing. Much to his surprise the ancient, guaranteed-fireproof gun safe’s combination lock still worked. Gabe was able to retrieve his Colt Cobra and other guns, including Carol’s AR-15, ammo, and documents. That done, the dozers went to work loading charred timbers and junk into their trucks. Gabe used his phone to take a few pictures, and shortly before noon they were on their way to the dive locker to meet Paul.

Paul’s newfound freedom agreed with him. He was more relaxed than Gabe had seen him and looked like he enjoying his court-ordered custodial duties. He hugged and kissed Carol and offered Gabe a handshake. Seated at the diner, Paul began, “I’m sorry. I owe you both an apology. It’s just been hard since Dad died. I guess I took it out on you guys, and that wasn’t fair.”

Good opening statement, Gabe thought.

“I’ve found a place to stay with college kids who share one of those big old houses out by the lake.