Hearths of Fire (12 page)

“Mandy and her friends are doing that as well,” Charlotte said, looking around them
as they came to the field where the entrance to the festival was located along with
the ticket booth for the carnival rides. Not a lot of people had shown up this early,
with the exception of the older crowd milling about the arts and crafts booths. Most
of the 4H crowd would be over near the barns and corrals. That wasn’t the direction
Neal headed though, as he still maintained his hold of her hand and kept walking toward
where the game booths were set up. Sure enough, Mandy and three of her girlfriends
were talking to one of the men. “There she is. By the way, she called off dinner tonight.”

“I figured that would happen.” Neal continued forward until he was standing in front
of Mandy and her friends. His tone was somber. “Girls, I want you to stick together
tonight. Until we know for sure what happened I want all of you to be careful and
look out for one another.”

“We will, Neal,” Mandy responded, getting additional nods from the other girls. “No
one has seen her. I know they think she’s with one of us, but I promise you that she’s
not. We don’t know what else to do. I’m meeting up with Garreth later today, but I
promise not to go anywhere alone.”

Neal didn’t say anything to Mandy’s last statement and then squeezed Charlotte’s hand
lightly when she started to speak. She didn’t want Mandy within ten feet of Garreth,
but there wasn’t a whole lot Charlotte could do about it. Where had the years gone?
Within one week her little sister would be eighteen years old. That was old enough
to take advice, yet old enough to think she knew everything the world had to hold.
Charlotte saw a lot of herself in her sister and that wasn’t as complimentary as one
might hope.

“Charlotte says that you don’t want to have dinner tonight and that’s totally understandable,”
Neal said, finally letting go of Charlotte’s hand. She didn’t like the feeling of
loss. “I would still like a chance to sit down with you later. There’s some things
that I think you ought to be aware of.”

Charlotte could see that Mandy barely contained the action of rolling her eyes at
Neal’s statement. It was like the last eight and a half years hadn’t passed and that
Neal was still a part of their family. In a way, he always would be…which was why
Charlotte had called him to begin with. He was an integral part of them and time hadn’t
changed that and it never would. After what happened in the truck earlier, Charlotte
knew they had things of their own to cover later this evening. First, they needed
to find Becky.

‡

N
eal ensured his
bedroom door was closed and he was away from prying eyes and ears. He didn’t want
Charlotte to overhear his phone call. This afternoon and evening had provided many
answers, but none that he needed. The thing of it was he needed extra time in Hearth
because until Becky was found, he couldn’t leave here believing that the boy Mandy
was dating could be the one responsible.

Pulling out his cell, Neal navigated the screen until he’d pulled up Starr’s number.
Pressing her name, he put the device to his ear and closed his eyes as he thought
of how to present his case. This wasn’t the most opportune time to extend his personal
leave, especially since they still had another four months of training before launching
a seaborne insertion into the country of Nigeria off the western coast of Africa for
a rescue attempt that he hoped like hell wasn’t needed by the time February arrived.
Starr answered by the second ring.

“Doc. I didn’t expect to hear from you until tomorrow.”

“I know, but I’ve run into a slight problem.” Neal paused, his mind spinning this
situation a million ways. No matter how he put it, it still didn’t negate the fact
that he was shirking his responsibilities to the team. Fuck. “I’ll keep this brief
and to the point. A friend of Mandy’s has gone missing.”

“As in abducted?” Starr asked, a little curiosity lacing her tone. It was better than
the
I don’t give a shit
answer he thought he would get. It wasn’t that Starr wasn’t a nice person, but she
ran a damned tight ship and an even tighter schedule. “Give me a quick SITREP.”

Neal spent the next five minutes providing a verbal situational report on what had
transpired within a little over twenty-four hours. He gave what facts he had so far
and then he gave his estimation of what he expected to find. Once that was over with,
he requested the additional days that he felt would be needed.

“I know this comes at a bad time, but we’re talking about a girl’s life. I know in
my gut this is related to the Ashes. I just can’t prove it yet.”

“This isn’t going to make Gunny very happy. The drill that he has planned for this
week required all of you or it’s going to fall short of its training objectives.”
Starr paused and Neal gave her the time she needed, knowing better than to rush her
in the decision making process. Been there, done that—and look at what transpired
with Trigger and Diesel. “You have until Tuesday. We’ll go through the additional
naval operations block training and you’ll have to bust your ass to catch up once
you’re back in the saddle.”

“Consider it done,” Neal replied, his chest loosening in relief at being given the
additional days. He would do what had to be done, including trespassing on the Ashe
property if there were no solid leads come morning. “Starr?”

“Yes?”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“Don’t get all sappy on me, Doc. Even my heart beats once in a great while.”

Before Neal could say another word Starr had disconnected their line. Shaking his
head at the abrupt way she handled her calls, he lowered his phone and immediately
speed dialed his next contact. Waiting for Daegan to pick up, Neal walked toward the
window and pulled back the curtains. Night had already fallen and Mandy was still
out with Garreth. The high school kids were having some type of candle ceremony during
the big bonfire that had been planned for this evening. Sheriff Plinkton and some
of the deputies were supposed to be present, so Neal was confident nothing unforeseen
would occur this evening.

“What’s up, Doc? You headed back in the morning?”

“No, that’s why I’m calling.” Neal thought he saw movement off to the right where
the edge of the lawn connected with the neighbor’s house, but after he zeroed in on
the area…nothing could be seen. He’d make a security sweep before they turned in this
evening. He figured Charlotte and his visit today had made some of the followers a
little uneasy, specifically Robert and Patricia Ashe. “I just got approval from Starr
to take some additional days.”

“Things not going well or did your woman change her mind again?” Daegan said with
a laugh. “Wait, let me guess. She’s got you back at the altar and you need a best
man.”

“Yeah, yeah…you keep that shit up and I’ll personally see to it that Starr knows you’re
the one who’s banging the comms specialist aboard
The Promised Land
. The boss doesn’t like fraternization among the crew.”

“Now that’s not funny, bro.” Daegan’s voice had dropped all humor and it was apparent
he wanted to drop the conversation as well when he got right to the point. “Fine.
Why do you need extra days?”

Neal covered the story one more time, hoping that Daegan would pick up something that
he was missing. This much information in a day was a lot to take in and come away
with answers. He was too close to the situation as well. No matter what was asked
of the Ashes today, they were careful in their replies. Neal hadn’t spent much time
with Garreth, but maybe that needed to change soon. It didn’t help that the dinner
they’d planned for tonight had gone by the wayside.

“You need to get your ass on that property,” Daegan said, confirming Neal’s decision.
“Are there any of your old buddies or someone at the sheriff’s office that can cover
your six?”

“No.” Neal thought through the list of people in town and there wasn’t anyone that
he would trust to have his back in this type of situation. It didn’t help that he
would also be asking someone to break the law. “No reflection on the people here,
but no one is really trained for this type of op. In addition, it’s not exactly legal.”

“I’d be there by morning if I thought Starr and Gunny would give me leave, but you
and I both know that’s not going to happen unless the second coming happens first.
I know you did a search on the Ashes, but let me see if I can’t do a little more digging.”

“You mean the pretty brunette with librarian glasses from the operations intel cell?”
Neal asked, already shaking his head. “You and I both know we’re not permitted to
use Red Starr’s resources for private use—I’m damn sure that this would qualify as
personal use.”

“You’re assuming I’d be using a certain someone. Oh ye of little faith,” Daegan laughed
before following up with another of his one-liners. “While I’m digging for intel,
don’t get your ass married or redneck clan brainwashed.”

With that the line went dead. Neal couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s twisted
sense of humor. It was a relief that Charlotte understood that what had happened today
was a mistake. He’d apologized and then even followed up with why it was a bad choice.
They’d spent the rest of the afternoon questioning people at the festival, as well
as some of the townsfolk. They’d grabbed a quick meal at the diner and in all total,
they’d seen five cult members wandering around town as if they were lost in their
own little world. Not once did Charlotte bring up the fact that he’d kissed her. It
was just as well they forget it even took place.

Crossing the distance to the door, Neal went in search of Charlotte who’d said she
was going to call Pam and see how the store had done today. Tomorrow was Sunday, which
meant the shop was closed. Neal assumed that if Becky didn’t miraculously appear the
sheriff would initiate a search party for the surrounding area. Considering the information
that Neal had given the old man, one could hope that it would be enough for the local
judge to issue a search warrant of the Ashe property.

“Char?” Neal called out, finding her sitting at the kitchen table. She had a faraway
look in her blue eyes and was twirling her phone round and round with her fingers.
“Everything okay?”

“Do you remember the last time we made love?”

Charlotte’s question brought Neal up short and instead of taking a seat next to her
at the table he chose to walk to the counter in order to give himself more time to
think before answering. He didn’t like trick questions and his hopes were dashed in
thinking that the matter of him kissing her earlier could be dropped. Fuck.

“Of course.” Neal opened the cupboard and grabbed a glass, making use of his hands.
He then went to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of sweet tea. It was time
to change the subject. “How did Pam do with the store today? Any chitchat regarding
where Becky might be?”

“No, but you and I both know that she didn’t leave on her own accord,” Charlotte said,
remaining seated while Neal poured himself a glass of tea. Her next words had him
reaching for another glass, thinking she could use a drink herself. Too damn bad it
wasn’t something stronger. “Back to us…I want—”

“What
do
you want?” Neal asked, slamming the pitcher on the counter and turning to face the
woman who’d haunted his dreams for the past eight and a half years. This petite curvaceous
blonde that left him holding his teenage heart in the palm of his hands didn’t have
a right to state what she wanted. He asked her anyway, because damn if the two of
them could move on until it was verbally stated. He’d had many women over the years,
but never one that could rid him of the memories he had of Char. It was apparent that
she’d never found anyone to settle down with, or he wouldn’t have been the one she’d
called last week for help. “Tell me, Char. This is what you wanted—your own life here
in Hearth while I served my country, experienced other cultures, and met new people.
I did exactly what you said and now you want what? Are you changing your mind? Or
are we talking about a one night stand?”

“I don’t know, Neal,” Charlotte said, standing while throwing her hands up out of
frustration. She could damn well join the club. Daegan had been right about coming
back, but there was nothing Neal could do about it now. “I don’t know what I want
tomorrow, but I do know that for this moment in time I want to be back in your arms.
I want you to make love to me.”

Neal’s jaw physically hurt from the pressure he was exerting with his clenched teeth,
but it was better than flinging the words he wanted to say. He would never intentionally
hurt her, but didn’t she realize how painful this was going to be for them when he
left here on Tuesday? It wasn’t like this decision would alter the course of their
futures. Hearth wasn’t his home anymore and this trip just hammered that nail in.
Hearth was the past…Hearth was just a collage of half-remembered memories in a void
of many times and places best forgotten.