Where One Road Leads (9 page)

As she replaced the gown on the hanger, Krista caught sight of herself in the three-way mirror. And flinched. But for once she didn’t avoid looking at the remnants of the accident. Even now the scars were constant reminders of her loss.

Hardly anyone had seen them, not even Cameron during their brief affair, except for the one on her arm. Only the scars on her face were visible to the world. The marks on her body were her secrets.

Transfixed, she ran a finger on the long white line that ran along her hip to her thigh, then eyed the one that marred her belly.

She didn’t know how long she stood there, hypnotized by the sight, by the memory of when those scars were fresh, until voices in the store pulled her from her reverie. Quickly she looked away and yanked her jeans back on. Better to pretend the scars weren’t there.

She purchased the gown, matching shoes and stockings, and headed back to Quail Ridge. The afternoon light had already faded from the autumn sky. Sometime during the last few weeks, all but a few stubborn leaves had fallen from the trees. Most had drifted into piles along the side of the road. The branches resembled gray skeletons reaching toward the powdery blue sky. All too soon they’d be covered with snow and it would be a different kind of beauty.

But lonely without friends.
She wondered if she’d be ever be able to call anyone in town a friend.

One thing hadn’t been done since returning to town, she realized. She turned the Jeep up a hill to the old center of town and Ridgeview Cemetery, the final resting place for two dear friends.

She drove around slowly until she found Liz. She’d never been there before, never had the opportunity until now. Three enormous bouquets of flowers lay against the rose marble stone. Someone had spared no expense in their remembrance.

Krista shoved her hands deep into her jacket pockets as a chilly breeze dashed against her body, tugging her hair across her cheek.

“Hey there,” she whispered to the stone, to the spirit of her best friend. “I know I should’ve stopped by before. And I came empty-handed this time. I’m sorry, next time I’ll bring something. I know you like lilacs, but you’ll have to wait until spring for that. I see you’re not lacking any flowers. They sure are pretty.”

There was no sound except the wind rustling through the trees. So peaceful. What else could she expect from a small town cemetery?

“I can’t stay long, they’ll be closing the gates soon. It gets dark really early. I just wanted to say I wish you could be here right now. I bet you’d have a great time at this gala I have to go to. Having you with me would be so much fun. I wouldn’t feel like such a fish out of water. And we could do each other’s hair, like we did for prom.”

The tears trailing down her cheeks stung in the cold wind. She brushed them away with the back of her hand.

“I miss you so much, Liz.”

Krista touched the stone, letting her fingers slide over the smooth surface, then turned to walk away. The sun teetered on the ridge now and she just wanted to be gone.

She wasn’t ready to face Jay’s grave yet.

The phone rang and made Krista’s heart thump.

“Calm down,” she whispered to herself as she eyed the object warily, afraid who might be on the other end. Taking a deep breath, she snatched it up quickly. “Hello.”

“Hey, Krista.” Cameron, thank God. “Gretchen and I are over at the Black Horse Inn and would love to have you join us for dinner. You free?”

“It’s seven, Cameron. People around here usually have dinner by six.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen into that small-town mindset,” he joked.

“As it so happens, I don’t eat dinner much at all. So, despite your comment about how my people live, I’d be happy to join you, but only so I can gab with Gretchen. Certainly not for
your
company.”

“You wound me. But if you’ll accept my apology, we’ll meet you in the dining room in half an hour. Please, no jeans and baseball jerseys.”

“You’re a rat,” she pointed out with a smile. “I’ll be there.”

She did have some dressy clothes, usually hanging unnoticed in her closet. Krista pulled out a pair of black dress slacks and a white sweater. Nothing fancy. It would have to do. She brushed her hair, applied a light dash of makeup—practice for Saturday night, she told herself—and headed out the door with a goodbye to Gus.

The inn was only two miles away, a beautiful structure built in the late seventeen hundreds that served as a tavern and stopover point for the coaches traveling through. The owners had retained much of its antique charm. The rooms were well-appointed and comfortable, the restaurant on the main floor one of the best in the state. Getting a reservation this time of the year was nearly impossible and Krista wondered what strings Cameron had pulled to score a room.

They were waiting in the dining room for her when she arrived. She greeted Gretchen with a warm hug and the same for Cameron, then turned her attention back to Cameron’s young wife. The stunning blonde from California would’ve made it in Hollywood if the lure of a handsome newspaper man hadn’t brought her to the east coast. She’d never regretted the move and had settled right in to the role of Cam’s wife.

“So, when did you get here and why didn’t you tell me you were coming in this soon?”

“We thought we’d get away from D.C. sooner than planned. Gretchen wanted some time to soak in the atmosphere and see if you needed any help. I would’ve sent her up by herself, but I didn’t want to be away from her for that long.” Cameron took his wife’s hand and squeezed.

“Aw, you’re too sweet,” Krista remarked. “And you’re too lucky, Gretchen.”

“Yes, I certainly am. So when are you going to find someone to make you as happy?”

Krista formed a wide-eyed stare. “What do you mean? I have Gus.”

“No, darling, not the four-legged variety. A husband.”

“Don’t hold your breath. I don’t think I have any prospects in this area.”

“What about Officer Burgess? He sure had eyes for you the other day,” Cameron remarked with a wink.

Krista grimaced. She hadn’t seen Matt since their kiss on the side of the road. That didn’t stop her from thinking of him much too often and in a way she shouldn’t. “There’s nothing going on there. Until recently, he couldn’t stand the sight of me. I don’t think he would consider me for any kind of relationship.”

Not entirely true.
Still, she didn’t feel bad for telling the little white lie.

“Oh, you have to fill me in. I love a man in uniform. No offense to you, darling,” Gretchen cooed, patting Cameron’s arm.

Krista set down the glass of she’d been sipping. “There’s nothing to tell,” she insisted. “He’s someone I knew from way back when. I dated his brother in high school.”

Gretchen’s smile faded and she detached her hand from Cameron’s, taking hold of Krista’s fingers. “Is he the one who died in the accident?”

Krista nodded. “Matt blamed me for about fifteen years. He’s only just coming around. Not exactly a rock solid foundation, you know?”

“You’re interested, right? I hope he’s coming Saturday night. I have to meet him.”

Krista groaned under her breath. Gretchen loved to play matchmaker. This was one match, however, that needed to be left alone. Things were already awkward between the two of them. They didn’t need Gretchen stirring any pots.

“As far as I know he’ll be there. Don’t get any ideas, Gretchen, please. Not about him.”

Gretchen pouted, apparently seeing her chance thwarted. She’d been trying to fix Krista up since they first met. In the beginning, Krista thought Gretchen’s scheming was an effort to keep her away from Cameron. She saw now Gretchen just wanted people to be in love. A very sweet idea, but Krista had managed to escape her attempts, usually by going off to some war torn country for a story. It seemed much safer than love.

“Well, we keep running into each other.”

A sickening chill raked over Krista’s skin. She recognized Ricky’s voice as soon as he spoke. She didn’t even have to look up. She didn’t want to, yet she did, meeting his gaze. He wore his famous smile, wide and so and embarrassingly, blatantly fake. At his side stood the ever-elegant Rachel.

It had taken Krista a little while after leaving Ricky’s the other night to remember Rachel from school days. Popular cheerleader type. Class Treasurer. The works. She’d been Matt’s girlfriend. She wouldn’t have given Ricky a second thought when they were teens. He’d been a crude teenaged boy back then. Even with a well-positioned father, Ricky had been a hard one to deal with.

At least now she could explain Matt’s intense dislike of Ricky. No doubt it stemmed from Rachel.

“Ricky. Rachel,” she said shortly, meeting his eyes, steady and unsmiling. Maybe he’d leave and she could try to salvage the rest of what had been a promising evening.

Just her luck, he remained at the table. “Richard Crowe.” He stuck out his hand toward Cameron, who was too polite not to take it. “And this is my fiancée, Rachel Auclair.”

“Cameron Warshaw,” he replied and introduced Gretchen.

“Really good to meet you both. I wanted to say what a wonderful thing you’re doing for our town. Especially in memory of our friends. I’m sure I can speak for Krista here when I say Liz and Jay have been sorely missed.”

Krista bit hard on her lower lip, determined not to add to this conversation.

“Yes, Krista has told me all about it. A tragedy indeed,” Cameron replied evenly.

Ricky had probably thought Cameron would be bowled over by his flash and charm. She knew better. Both he and Gretchen kept a cool, aloof distance from the newcomers.

“I tried to talk Krista into accepting a donation, on behalf of Rachel and me, as a way to honor our connection to Liz and Jay, and this project too. Unfortunately she declined.”

“Well, that was very kind of you, Richard. As Krista no doubt explained, the project is fully funded. Still, I’m sure we could reconsider and put your donation to good use.”

Krista nearly opened her mouth to protest, but Cameron flashed a look that stopped her. She glared at Ricky instead.

Ricky’s smile turned into an oily smirk as he glanced her way. “Well, the check is waiting for anyone who’d like to pick it up. Or I can bring it Saturday night.”

“You’ll be there?” Krista blurted it out before she could stop herself.

“We wouldn’t miss it. Quail Ridge’s first gala opening? It’s sure to be quite an event,” Rachel replied in such a way that Krista couldn’t be sure if she meant it or not. She detected a hint of sarcasm in Rachel’s tone.

“Well, we’ll let you alone now,” Ricky said. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Cameron and Gretchen. Krista, nice to see you again. Enjoy your dinner.”

With his arm around Rachel’s waist, Ricky left the table and strolled to a quiet corner of the restaurant.

“What a prick,” Gretchen murmured. “They apparently see themselves as small-town royalty.”

“Pretty close to the truth actually. His father is a big mucky-muck with connections in state and federal government. Those connections put me in jail and kept Ricky looking as innocent and sweet as a baby’s behind.”

“Ugh. Well, the mighty still may fall.” Gretchen held up her glass of wine. “Here’s to the meek.”

Krista raised her glass and tapped it against Gretchen’s, then Cameron’s. “To the meek.”

Chapter 8

Matt yanked the tie out of its knot again. “Damn thing,” he muttered and went to work on it again. He hadn’t worn a tux since his senior prom and now he remembered why. At least back then he had his mother there to tie the thing, but now he had to rely on himself. Worst-case scenario, he’d take a drive to his parents’ house on the way to the center to get her to tie it for him. Why couldn’t they just have a big barbeque? He grimaced in the mirror.

“Stop bitching to yourself,” he told his image. “People are going to think you’re nuts.”

Plain and simple, his nerves were getting the better of him. Seeing Krista again for the first time after he hauled off and kissed her messed with his head and he was getting all bent out of shape because of it.

Matt pressed his lips together and willed the stress to leave. Yet he couldn’t help but hope the kiss he’d shared with Krista could happen again. At a different location, of course. Not at the side of the road when they were too worked up by events that had nothing at all to do with romance.

“Romance,” he snorted, curling his lip. “Listen to you. Dad’s getting to you.” He didn’t need romance with this woman, but for some reason lately her face kept popping into his mind when the topic came up.

And why not with this woman?

Matt turned away from his reflection and shoved the tie into his pocket. He didn’t like the direction this mental conversation headed. He’d go to his parents’ and have his mother take care of the damned tie. And he’d listen to loud, obnoxious music on the drive over, which would keep any unwelcome thoughts at bay.

Twenty minutes later, Matt knocked on his parents’ side door, and let himself in. His dad would be working the late shift, and his mom would probably be cleaning up after dinner or settled down with a book.

“Hey, Mom,” he called.

She was already on the sofa in her bathrobe and a pair of pink fuzzy slippers, book in hand.

“Oh, I wish I had a camera.” She laughed and got to her feet. “How handsome you are. But missing something.”

Matt pulled the tie from his pocket and held it up. “I’m still completely pathetic. I’d hoped you could take care of it for me.”

“Of course. You have a date tonight?” She took the tie and with a few deft moves, had him all set to go.

“No, I’m going all by my lonesome, Mom.”

She stood back and tilted her head to the side, examining him closely. Then shook her head.

“Such a waste. I’m sure you’ll have all the single women paying you all sorts of attention.”

“Don’t hold your breath. I’m not there to pick up women. That’s not my style.”

His mother sighed. “I know it’s not. You never know what might happen, though. Did you know your father and I met at a fundraiser in Boston? I’d just broken up with my fiancé. I wasn’t searching either.”

“I’ll have to ask Dad what he said to you to change your mind,” he replied fondly, picturing his parents as a young couple.

“You have a good time tonight, honey.”

Matt kissed her cheek. “Yes, Mother, I will.”

He wasn’t the first to arrive at the mill, which was fine with him. He parked in the lot behind the building, met with Carla and her boyfriend, Nate, and they walked in together.

As soon as he saw Krista, no one else seemed to matter. She stood with her partner, Cameron Warshaw, who had his arm around a stunning blonde, but Krista outshone every other woman in the room. Matt barely recognized her, with her hair piled loosely on top of her head, honey blonde tendrils curling against her cheek and neck. The gown was completely feminine and showed off curves he thought she shouldn’t hide so much. Usually she kept them well concealed with her jeans and big shirts. This gown embraced her body with rich emerald green.

He didn’t need this. He was already weak-willed to resist her. Seeing her so temptingly feminine could do him in.

“Oh my God, look at you, Officer Burgess.” Patricia Frechette came up behind him and pulled his attention from Krista. “I don’t think I’ve seen Quail Ridge residents so gorgeous.”

Matt laughed, then shook John’s hand. John offered a weak smile and tugged at the collar of his shirt. Matt figured a lot of men in the room felt as out of place as John looked in his suit and tie.

“They have quite a turnout here.” Matt scanned the rest of the room and into the next. Dozens of people milled around, chatting with neighbors and friends, others dancing to the band set up at the back of the room. “And it’s still early.”

“I’ve never seen so many well-dressed people,” Patricia said with a smile. “Liz would’ve loved this. She enjoyed getting dressed up.”

Matt nodded, albeit sadly. “Not Jay. If he couldn’t wear jeans, he wouldn’t attend.”

Patricia patted his arm sympathetically. “Well, you enjoy yourself anyway. Get on the dance floor. I’m sure you won’t have any problems finding a partner.”

She and her husband moved off into the room, leaving Matt alone to decide his next move. Krista still chatted, this time with Dan Greer and his wife, Madelyn.

As he stared, Krista’s gaze moved past the Greers and locked on his. She smiled and lifted her hand in a small salute that in turn sent a shockwave through his body. So much for forgetting about the kiss. He wanted to go to her, and was about to take the first step when someone grabbed him from behind.

“Looky here! Matt, you look like you belong on a wedding cake.”

Matt turned on Tom LaCroix, a tall, husky bald cop with a perpetually ruddy complexion and bright blue eyes that always seemed to shine. He and his wife, Sarah, were both dressed to the nines.

“You need a bride and you’ll be all set.” Tom glanced around. “Nope, don’t see any, but I’ll keep my eye out for one.”

“I bet you will,” Matt chuckled. “And you’ll probably announce it loudly if you do find one.”

“You can count on me. Now where’s the appetizers? They promised appetizers.” With his arm around his wife’s waist, Tom propelled Sarah toward the buffet tables, leaving Matt to continue his path to Krista.

Except Krista no longer stood there. Cameron and his companion were talking with one of Quail Ridge’s selectmen, but Krista was nowhere in sight. Cameron had seen him, though, and motioned him to come over and join them.

“Nice to see you again, Officer Burgess,” Cameron said with genuine warmth and offered his hand.

“Matt, please. Nice to see you too.”

“This is my wife, Gretchen.” He gave her a little squeeze. “Honey, this is Matt Burgess. He’s been helping investigate the vandalism to the center and he’ll be teaching some of the martial arts classes.”

Gretchen offered her hand to him and smiled with all the enthusiasm of her husband. What a couple they made. Matt found himself liking these two immensely. And the fact Cameron was so obviously in love with his wife helped alleviate any lingering feelings of jealousy Matt might have still felt.

“I’m very glad to meet you, Matt. I’ve heard good things about you from both Cameron and Krista.”

“Well, I don’t know how I deserved it, and I don’t know if I can live up to it,” Matt replied, pleasant surprise making him grin.

“Krista’s gone in to show Dan Greer and his wife the nursery area. I guess their daughter is moving here and they’re looking for daycare for her infant.”

“I’m sure she’ll have no problem filling all the openings. Plenty of people need daycare, and even more teens wanting a place to hang out. I think I’m going to go mingle. It was a pleasure, Gretchen, I’m sure we’ll be chatting again.”

Matt moved past the couple and into the room, stopping to say hello to friends and acquaintances, thoroughly ribbed for his outfit along the way. He returned the jokes in kind. Most of these guys weren’t any more accustomed to suits and ties than him.

When he finally found Krista, chatting with two people he didn’t know, he made his way over to her, suddenly realizing he had no clue what to say to her and feeling a little like a schoolboy again.

He sucked in a breath. He’d wing it. He wasn’t the kind of guy to think up sweet, rehearsed speeches. If she didn’t like tongue-tied guys, he was in big trouble.

Krista watched as Matt tried to approach once more. She was amused to see him waylaid nearly every few feet. Of course she could’ve made it easy and gone to him, but she really enjoyed the pursuit and appreciated his efforts. Every time he caught her eye, he’d give her an exasperated grin. She’d shake her head and return the smile.

His approach gave her such a warm, giddy feeling inside, which made her more than a little nervous. Memories of the kiss they’d shared swirled in her head. Heat crept into her cheeks and she hoped he wouldn’t see her blush.

“Wow.” He took her hands and pulled her close, kissing her gently on the cheek.

“Yeah, who would’ve thought there was a girl hiding under those jeans and baseball shirts all those years,” she joked, and squeezed his hands.

Matt smiled. “I knew,” he said softly.

His words sent her heart scrambling for solid ground as it whirled around in an exciting freefall. Somehow she mustered the ability to keep it to herself. “And may I return the ‘wow.’ You’re very sharp in that tux.”

“A little overdressed, but how many chances would I get to dress in a penguin suit? This is for a good cause.” His gaze swept around the room before returning to her. “Looks like a great success.”

“I’m happy. Lots of faces I haven’t seen for ages. Lots of unfamiliar faces, too. I’m still trying to sort them out. We’ve had many people asking for applications for various classes. I can’t wait for tomorrow when the real fun begins.”

Tomorrow would be one big open house for everyone, and prove to be more important to the future of the center than this night. Tomorrow would be for the kids, an open house for everyone in Quail Ridge and the surrounding towns to see what they had to offer.

“Well, that’s more my speed anyway,” Matt admitted and pulled at his collar.

Krista laughed. He acted all uncomfortable in the tux but he looked incredible. She had to check her emotions.

“So, we have plenty of munchies at the buffet tables. Open bar, if you’re interested.”

“I’m more interested in dancing,” Matt said. “If you’d do me the honor.”

Naturally the band chose that moment to play something slow and romantic. She couldn’t say no. She didn’t want to say no. She nodded and let him take her into his arms. It brought back the kiss all over again, the feeling of his hand at her waist, his other holding her hand tight. There was only a hair’s breadth between their bodies and the heat grew quickly. She couldn’t speak.

Instead, she took a steadying intake of air. He smelled so good. She couldn’t identify the musky, subtle cologne, but was drawn to it. She moved closer to him a fraction, hoping he wouldn’t notice. By the way he increased the pressure of his hold, she knew he did. He could probably feel her heart beating crazily against him.

She wanted to make witty conversation but found she couldn’t think of anything to say. In the battle of nerves versus good sense, nerves were winning out.

“You did a wonderful job here tonight, Krista.” Matt’s mouth spoke close to her ear. She liked the way his breath tickled against her face. It had been much too long since she’d felt a man’s arms around her, eliciting her to enjoy a moment of pure expectation, of budding desire. Even so, she had to mentally pull back. These emotions hit her too fast. She wasn’t ready.

“I had a lot of help,” she admitted. “I was never much good at planning parties. My idea of a gathering is a few friends over for pizza.”

“Then you’ve fooled me. This old mill never looked so good.”

“May I cut in?”

The words were like a whip crack in the tranquil silence that had settled between Krista and Matt. She tore her gaze away from Matt’s face at the sound of Ricky’s voice, and tightened her grasp on Matt.

“No, thank you,” she replied coldly, her voice low. She didn’t want any commotion this night. “Ricky, this isn’t the time.”

Ricky laughed and crossed his arms over his well-dressed chest. He looked better in a tux, more at home, than he ever did in jeans. Yes, he certainly had found his place in the world. It surprised her anew that he’d remained in Quail Ridge.

“Do you think I’m here to make trouble? Krista, come on, I have better manners than that.”

She doubted it. He looked like he’d already had a couple drinks in him. If he was so bold when sober, what would he be like drunk? No, she remembered him, drunk. She wore the reminders. Every day without her best friend and boyfriend reminded her. Being robbed of her first child reminded her.

“You’re welcome to be here, Ricky, but please find someone else to entertain yourself with,” she said wearily.

Ricky chuckled. “You’re just so much more fun,” he replied.

Matt moved himself between Krista and Ricky.

“You need to leave now,” Matt said quietly.

Krista was grateful for Matt’s calm intervention. She didn’t want to attract any attention. She glanced around the room. So far no one noticed them.

But Ricky’s voice had an edge to it, as if he’d have no problem drawing attention. “Didn’t you hear her, Matt? She said I was welcome to stay. As long as I’m a good boy. Ironically, according to our dear Krista, I’m not capable of being good. And apparently you’re backing her up. What’s with you, bro? She killed your brother as surely as she killed Liz. That okay with you now? Because I’m sure as hell not okay with it.”

“If you don’t leave now, I’m going to call the cops, Ricky,” Krista growled and stepped up to Matt’s side. She was damned if he’d intimidate her. Matt’s hand closed around hers and she was grateful for the momentary injection of confidence. Over the music, the scene still went unnoticed by others, except a few couples who were close by.

Ricky shrugged indifferently. “Call them, Krista. I could care less. Before you do, let me tell you a few things about what went on before the accident, some things you ought to know about Jay.”