Sunrise Point

Chapter Eleven


Maxie sat in the living room, feet propped up in her recliner, TV on. She knew what Tom was doing—either sitting on the porch or pacing outside, wondering what the hell he was going to do. Even though he’d been gone for the past several years, she knew the boy inside and out. He was a plotter. A planner. And sometimes he got a little over the moon in his plans.

Tom didn’t seem to really lament his absence of a mom and dad. That sort of thing didn’t stand out that much in a place like Virgin River where extended families abounded. In a place with large family businesses like farms, vineyards, ranches and orchards, it was fairly common for the grandparents, aunts and uncles to be included in the day-to-day equation, all often present at the same dinner table. And it was also typical for small-town boys to lust after a bigger, more exciting world.

When I grow up, I’m going to see every country in the world,” Tom used to say when he was young. “I’m not going to spend my whole life on one small piece of land. I want to see things, do exciting things.” Thus college and the Marine Corps, Maxie assumed. Escape to a larger world. Excitement—in spades.

She never tried to convince him of the virtues of the land. But after trying a few different majors in college, Tom had finally gotten his degree in agriculture. After the Marines, he came back to the orchard. She hadn’t asked him to, but she had said that if he had no interest in the apple business, she’d sell it in a few years—she wasn’t going to keep picking apples into her eighties, but she’d be more than thrilled to live in her house, on her land.

Maxie knew that deep down Tom found comfort in the beauty of simplicity, nature, wholesome living. She also knew the fastest way to scare him off the orchard was to try to sell it to him. Better he should carry lots of expensive luggage up the stairs to the guest room and give a baby a bottle. That would do more to shape him.

He’d come around. She hoped.

The screen door slammed and he walked into the living room. She patted herself on the back for her restraint. She so wanted to ask him wasn’t it nice to have a dinner guest who ate and appreciated the food? Instead she said, “Pie?”

No, thanks. I’m going to bed.”

It’s seven forty-five!”

Long day,” he said. “I’ll put Duke out one more time and close up for you. Come on, buddy,” he said to the dog. Duke took his time getting up, as though his joints might hurt. “Any day now,” Tom prodded.

It took quite a while. Since Duke hadn’t been asking to go out, he wasn’t in any hurry. Another ten minutes passed before the old dog ambled in and Tom trudged up the stairs.

Poor guy, Maxie thought with some humor. It was obvious he liked Nora and wanted to like Darla more. She hoped he’d be able to get some sleep. For herself, she was going to enjoy TV.



* * *



Fall was on the land and Coop was grateful that he’d lucked into one of the best setups he could imagine. Since Luke and Shelby invited him to dinner just about every night and gave him his space and trailer hookup for free, he earned his keep by helping out around the compound. He drove to the dump now and then, cleaned the occasional cabin, picked up groceries from the larger stores on the coast and did his share of grilling and cooking for them. It took a little pressure off the Riordans.

Touring the area with Colin in the little Rhino, which was like a baby Jeep or little quad, had become a favorite pastime. He’d seen much of the country by now and it was beautiful everywhere he looked. Coop was taken with Jilly’s farm, the big house, the harvested garden and huge pumpkin patch, but he was mostly impressed by Colin’s paintings. It was impossible to grasp that this guy wasn’t a professionally trained artist, he was so gifted. “I need to have one of these paintings,” Coop told Colin. “But I have no wall to hang it on and could never decide which one!”

You’ll have a wall again,” Colin said with a laugh. “Once you decide what you’re doing next.”

Coop just shook his head. “I’m not going back to foreign wars, not going back to the oil companies and I can’t paint. In fact, I don’t think I can do anything but fly helicopters. Luke got lucky with the cabins—that’s a decent life, I think. In a decent little town.”

You’ve been all over the mountains and valleys but I don’t think you’ve seen that much of the town itself. How about a beer at Jack’s?” Colin suggested. “About time you meet Jack. Luke treats himself about once a week when his chores are done and Shelby’s home. Let’s go get him.”

Colin followed Coop back to the Riordan cabins to leave off the Rhino and grab Luke for a beer. A few minutes later, they were pulling up to Jack’s bar and walked in the door.

The man behind the bar looked like he’d seen a ghost. So did Coop. And at exactly the same time they said, “You!”

There was nothing but silence to follow that, for at least a few stretched out seconds. Finally it was Luke who said, “What the hell…?”

Coop turned to him, his eyes ablaze. “That’s him! The jarhead who had me arrested!”

I didn’t have you arrested, a*shole! The woman you beat up had you arrested! I just happened to be there when she said, ‘It was him!’”

No, you called the MP’s and told them it was me!” Coop said, advancing on the bar. “I wasn’t even there!”

Instinctively, Colin and Luke each held one of Coop’s arms. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Colin said. “What’s this?”

This didn’t really happen,” Luke said, holding Coop back.

Something happened,” Jack said. “She had a funky jaw and a black eye and a bunch of other bruises and—”

And called you? How’d she have your number? Ever ask yourself that?”

She said she was in a bad situation and I told her if she ever needed help…”

Coop laughed cruelly. “And where were you after I got arrested, huh? Because I didn’t stay arrested!”

What?”

You heard me! She was lying, did you know that? She was going to get me arrested. She was going to replace me with a jarhead!”

I shipped out with my squad,” Jack said. “I was only at Benning to get them through Airborne. She knew I was leaving—she didn’t want me!”

No, pal. She didn’t want me,” Coop said. “And she was going to have me locked up for something I never did.”

She was beat up,” Jack said emphatically.

She got it behind the bar. There were people who knew what happened, knew it wasn’t me. She blew off some guy who wanted a date, he followed her to her car and when she didn’t have a change of heart, he slapped her around. She went home and called you. And even though you didn’t see a goddamn thing happen, you had me arrested! Did you ever think about checking this out, since you didn’t see it happen, either?” Coop shook off Luke and Colin and straightened. “Hey. I’m outta here. Ever hear that old saying, this town isn’t big enough for both of us? It’s today, man.”

And with that, Coop turned and walked out.

Luke shook his head. “He didn’t do it, Jack,” he said. “We’re going to have to get this straightened out. I’m not ready for Coop to drive out of here. He just got here.” And then he left to join Coop and Colin in the truck.



* * *



Three men and Shelby had a beer together on Luke’s front porch.

I never would’ve believed it was Jack,” Luke said, dropping his head, looking down. “In a way it makes sense, but that’s even more reason to get this worked out.”

In what way does it make sense?” Coop demanded. “And why would I want to work it out?”

Jack’s a good guy,” Colin said. “On the upside, he’s got a reputation for defending the underdog. On the downside, he obviously didn’t get all the facts. Or thought he had the facts when he didn’t.”

The fact is, I had orders for Ft. Rucker and I wasn’t taking Imogene. It would’ve been a disaster—she didn’t really want to settle down. We hadn’t been together very long, definitely not long enough to be a couple… I think she just wanted a way to a new town. And so we fought, broke up what little there was to break up, I went out with some of my boys and got hammered. Not over grief at leaving Imogene—if you want the truth, I was happy to be leaving Imogene. And I’m sorry if she got hurt, but I don’t know why she had to pin it on… But I do know why. She was pissed off and would rather see me sit in jail for refusing to take her to Alabama than see the guy who smacked her around punished.”

Who did beat her up?” Luke asked.

Some sergeant who was permanent at Benning. I think she might’ve dated him once. I spent a few days in the brig until my boys tracked him down. And that damn Imogene wouldn’t finger him! He admitted he might’ve slapped her.” He laughed bitterly. “Might’ve slapped her. To hear the boys tell it, he punched the crap out of her. He bragged about it at the bar but wouldn’t confess to the MP’s. And why she wouldn’t want him behind bars—I have no idea. I never saw Imogene again.”

I think we should explain, since Jack got half the story,” Luke said. “The wrong half.”

I’m not explaining anything to anyone,” Coop said. “I’m more inclined to move on.”

Not this time,” Luke said. Luke rested his elbows on his knees and leaned a little closer to Coop. “I think there’s a trait the three of us sometimes share and that’s taking the easy way out—”

You don’t say that to a veteran soldier who’s been to war,” Coop said.

Okay, let me put this another way,” Luke said. “The place you’re in right now, where it’s too easy for someone to just assume the worst about you. I’ve been in that place more than once and it sucks. I think Colin can probably relate—”

Luke was cut off by the bark of a laugh coming from his brother. “Me?” Colin said. “The guy who got caught by his brothers chewing up oxycontin like candy? Yeah, there’s been a time or two the worst was assumed about me, and a time or two they were right. I gotta agree with Luke here. We might not get it all straightened out between you and Jack, but I don’t see how that matters much. Here’s what I think matters—that you stand down, Coop. Hold your position—you got framed. You might’ve been a suspect, briefly, but you were never a convicted felon. Don’t let anyone run you off.”

Please don’t,” Shelby said. “You don’t have to make any commitment here, Coop—we understand this is a stopping off place for you. But please don’t leave before you’re ready just because one person doesn’t understand the circumstances.”

The most respected person in town,” Coop muttered.

Jack’s a good guy,” Luke said. “But he’s been known to run into conflicts here and there. He’s also been wrong. And when he’s wrong, he’ll usually man up. It’s worth giving Jack a little time on this.”

Maybe you didn’t hear me,” Coop said. “I’m not in the mood to explain myself to him, to try to make him understand. I’d rather just get my beer elsewhere.”

Sure. Reasonable. I’m just saying it’s too soon to pack it in. Just because you’re angry at being judged.”

Falsely judged,” he clarified.

Let’s talk about it in a few days,” Colin suggested.

Coop looked down for a moment. Then he took a pull on his bottle of beer and leaned back in his chair. “I thought I was done with this,” he said.

Any knowledge of what’s happened to Imogene?” Luke asked.

He shook his head. “Nor any curiosity,” Coop said. “Ever have the experience of meeting the wrong person at the wrong time and having a whole lot of stuff just go to hell?”

Luke, Shelby and Colin all looked between each other. Then it was Luke who laughed—Luke who had married pretty stupidly, got his heart really trashed, almost didn’t get over it in more than a dozen years, almost didn’t get over it in time to give himself to Shelby, the best thing that ever happened to him. He reached for Shelby’s hand and held it. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, man.”



* * *



Tom talked to Darla almost every evening. He told her she was more than welcome to come for the weekend, he’d love to see her, but unfortunately he’d be working both Saturday and Sunday.

Will you have evenings free?” she asked.

I will,” he said. “I’ll work all day, so I won’t be a party animal, but I don’t work in the dark.”

She laughed at that and said, “I have so much reading to do, it might be nice to just spend the evening together. It sounds like both of us will be working hard all weekend and evenings will be ours. Should I bring some movies?”

There would be baseball. But he said, “Sure.”

Tom didn’t want to, but he couldn’t help but notice that Maxie was a little stressed about Friday night dinner. She made salmon, rice and more asparagus from her fall harvest and although there were none of the evil things involved—like bread, potatoes, gravy, et cetera—Darla didn’t seem to eat much. He supposed this was how it was with her and ignoring it would be best. After all, hadn’t he already had this discussion with himself? He liked women with knockout figures and here was one. That would be hard to keep up unless you lifted apple crates all day or ate grass.

He saw his grandmother’s frown of consternation. “We’re going out for dinner tomorrow night,” he said.

Oh, splendid,” Maxie said. “You’ll have a wonderful time. Where are you going?”

I’m not sure yet. I’ll be sure to let you know. You can join us if you like.”

She patted him on the cheek and smiled into his warm eyes. “Thank you, Tom. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

It came as no surprise that Darla had a special little pack—leather—for her movies, her DVDs. She was kneeling in front of the TV and player. It wasn’t a fancy new TV, but it was high definition—Tom bought it for his grandmother several years ago.

I brought Love Actually, my favorite movie of all time, and some really special ones—The Proposal, which I love, and some others…”

Maxie whispered, “The Yankees are playing tonight.”

You pick the movie,” Tom said. Then he stifled his yawn. “Let’s watch your favorite.”

Fortunately, Maxie didn’t kick him. Instead, she got herself a book in progress, took her favorite chair before anyone else did and made herself comfortable.

Tom reclined on the sofa and Darla reclined on Tom. She was lounging between his legs, her back against his chest. They were positioned slightly behind Maxie’s range of vision unless she turned sharply to take in the scene. It was quite decent—he couldn’t even steal a kiss. She was much more casual this weekend, although it took an equal number of suitcases to be thus. And while Tom had never given a rip about the cost of things like women’s jeans, he was curious. They looked damn good on her. On her feet were suede Uggs… He knew because she had told him. And she wore a fantastic, soft, loose-knit sweater he could see through. Under it was some kind of flesh-colored tank, no bra, breasts high and tight. He knew this because he was trained by the Marines in reconnaissance—there was no bra in place. He wished he could slip a hand under that sweater and figure out those breasts. She said she was twenty-nine and they were as perfect as an eighteen-year-old’s… .

Maxie cleared her throat and coughed; he jerked to attention as if she’d spoken aloud.

Oh, this part always makes me cry!” Darla exclaimed.

He looked up; he had no idea what this movie was about. He slipped his arms around her waist and held her while she sniffed. And then damned if he didn’t start to nod off. He came right awake again, thank goodness, because Darla turned her head and looked over her shoulder and up at him. “Tom,” she whispered. “I think your grandmother is snoring!”

He almost said, “Are you sure it wasn’t me?” but he caught himself. Instead he said, “Shhhh.”

Every once in a while Tom stole a look at Maxie. She held her book in her lap and her head tilted down, her glasses on her nose, as though she might be reading. She didn’t even bob. Every so often she’d emit a soft little snore. He had never envied a person more—he’d love to catch a little nap, or at least check the score of the baseball game. But he didn’t dare.

The movie ended, Darla heaved a heavy, satisfied sigh and Maxie stretched. She closed her book, removed her glasses and while the credits were running she said, “Lovely, Darla. I’m all in. I think I’ll just go ahead and head for bed.” She stood up and smiled at them, so cozy on the couch. “Why don’t you two enjoy another movie?”

The traitor, Tom thought. She was going to pay for that.

Darla just smiled, which was lucky for her. Tom was annoyed enough by the movie selection that if Darla had said something cheeky like You slept through the whole thing, Tom was never going to see her again. He could be perturbed with Maxie, but everyone else better mind their manners.

Then came Saturday. As Tom had explained, he had to work. He had his part-time crew in, working overtime, at least until early afternoon. He drove the tractor or truck or forklift by the barn and house several times and caught sight of his grandmother in her garden or picking apples off the small trees or lower branches. She was hearty and healthy, but they had agreed she was going to stay off ladders, at least for the most part. She baked, visited with workers, brought lemonade to the break room in the barn, put out cider for anyone who would like to take a gallon home.

Darla mainly sat on the porch lounge with a book in her lap. Well, hell, she had said she had to work as well, and this must be her work—he had no cause to judge or complain.

We got a fence issue, Tom,” Junior said.

Now what?”

Junior scrubbed off his cap and wiped a rag over his thin hair. Junior had started out here over thirty years ago when he was a teenager and stayed on. He was one of their few year-round employees. Since Tom had known him he’d served a tour of duty in the Army, married and divorced and was now on his own. He had two grown children and was by far one of the finest and most dependable men Tom had known. He was damn sorry about the family issues and even more sorry Junior was mostly alone except for seeing his kids now and then.

I just happened to see it,” Junior said. “Kinda close to the house—tore down the cyclone mesh. I’d like to get it back up today. If one of Maxie’s pies gets snatched off her cooling tray on the porch, she’ll kill that old bitch with her bare hands.”

Tom chuckled despite himself. “That bear?”

Who else? Wunt elk or deer or bobcats.” He pronounced wasn’t as wunt. “Only a bear with a family is gonna go to so much trouble as that. So damn heavy, all ’em, they broke it down tryin’ to get over. And wunt a person—they’d climb over, no trouble. Not like we got barbed wire on top.”

She’s starting to get on my nerves,” Tom said. “Costing me way too much in fencing. I see two possible solutions here—either she heads for hibernation with the kids pretty soon or I’m going to have to sit up late, catch her and shoot her. It’s come down to that.”

I’ll do that if you want,” Junior said.

Tom grinned. “Maybe we bag that bear together?”

Junior grinned in response. “I’m into that idea.”

Buddy’s working today. Pull him off the trees and get him to help on the fence—I have stuff to do.”

Sure thing.”

Tom went around the perimeter to look at it even though he wasn’t going to work on it. Sure thing, it wasn’t torn apart so much as bent over. Same as always. It looked like a few heavy bears attempted to climb the fence and it bent under their weight. The poles that held up the cyclone fencing flattened and the metal wire collapsed. It was a bigger pain to repair than if someone had taken wire cutters to it and opened it up. With this kind of damage, more of the fencing had to be removed and replaced, more support poles replaced.

He checked more of the perimeter and saw a couple of familiar legs up on a ladder. He slowed, killed the engine and heard humming. “Hey, apple girl,” he yelled.

She laughed and came down a couple of steps, her bag nearly full. “What’s up, boss?”

Got another bear scare. Damn things broke down some more fencing.”

Her eyes got wide. “They aren’t in here, are they?”

Nah. One thing about bears, they’re kind of hard to hide in daylight. They’re big and clumsy.”

Shew. Try not to scare me.”

You’re working this weekend, huh? What about Jed?”

He’s coming up tomorrow afternoon, which usually means he’ll be here tonight. I think he spends the night over at the Best Western in Fortuna. I’ll work till lunchtime tomorrow, then he’ll come over. He wants to take the girls to the redwoods and coast on a picnic before it gets too cold.”

Nice,” he said. “I guess it’s working out.”

So far,” she said. “I’m trying not to let the fact that he’s given me so much influence my opinion of him. Know what I mean?”

Tom nodded. Her love was not for sale. “You like baseball?” he heard himself ask.

She looked a little perplexed, but nodded. “Why?”

Red Sox played the Yankees last night,” he said idly.

Did you see that game?” she asked, suddenly excited.

Did you?” he asked back.

I don’t have a TV, but Buddy and Jerome were talking about it—Jeter took three bases. Must have been awesome. And he put it into overtime!”

So, you’re a Yankees fan?”

Me? I’m a California girl, it’s the Giants for me.”

Well, I was raised here and I’m all about the Red Sox!” he informed her.

I think I have a better track record, but you do what you have to do.”

Hah! Maybe you’ve had a little luck here and there, but better record? I beg to differ.”

What are you talking about? Giants knocked out the Sox 4-2!”

And the next two games? Sox put ’em down!”

Don’t get cocky—it’s not over.”

It’s over—they didn’t make the series!”

They will next year—and your sucky Sox won’t be there for it.” She stepped closer to him even though she had a full, heavy bag of apples hanging off her shoulders. “What are you doing throwing your lot in with an East Coast team? Have you no loyalty?”

He laughed and lifted the canvas apple bag from her. She would be fun to attend a game with. Not that that would ever happen, but it would be fun. “I spent a lot of time in other places, I guess I turned.” He walked to the big bin and unloaded her apples for her. Then he handed her back the bag. “I suppose you watch a lot of chick flicks,” he said.

Tom, try to keep up here—no TV. And no money for movies.”

Back when you did have a TV and went to movies…” he said.

Some,” she admitted. “But I’ll tell you something if you promise not to share.”

What?” he asked.

She leaned close. “I like disaster films,” she whispered. “The kind that blow up the world. I’m not fussy—it can be asteroids, aliens or Mother Nature. I think I’m a special-effects junkie.”

Yeah?” he asked, feeling like he’d suddenly grown lots more teeth in his mouth, he was smiling so big. “What was the last good one you saw?”

It’s been a while—but I think it was Day After Tomorrow—the glacier. I really loved that. Before that I saw New York City demolished about three times—asteroids and aliens and even volcanoes.”

He laughed, hands on his hips. “Tell you what, one of these times you come out with the kids, we’ll find a way to get them to sleep and watch a newer disaster movie.”

She actually took a step back. Away. “That could be fun,” she said. But her posture and the way she said it made it sound like anything but fun.

What?” he asked.

Nothing,” she said.

No really. What?”

I’d love that,” she said. “But the girls have to get baths and go to sleep after dinner and I have to get them home for that, Tom. And I get up at five. I mean, it sounds like fun, but it’s not practical.”

We’ll do it on a weekend,” he said.

I think you have other things to do on weekends…”

Probably not every weekend,” he said.

She gave him a smile that said she was pretty sure he was booked.

So he got a little more aggressive. “Not every weekend. We’ll make it work because I love watching cities get blown up.”

You do?”

He shrugged. “As long as it’s pretend. Get back to work—have to check the fence. Don’t want the bear family eating all our apples!”



* * *



Nora got back to her picking, though she wasn’t humming anymore. We’ll do it on a weekend kept circulating in her brain. He must have meant that he would include her along with his new friend. But then, when she suggested he seemed to be pretty busy on the weekend, he could have clarified that, but instead said he wouldn’t be busy every weekend, which almost sounded like he wanted to do something with Nora. Just Nora.

That would not be good, thinking he liked her.

When she’d thrown her life away the first time, she’d been nineteen, inexperienced, foolish and unquestionably starved for love. Now things were different—she was older, knew how bad things could get if one wasn’t cautious and she didn’t need the love of a young man to validate her.

She had no interest in a broken heart.