Silver River Secrets

“Mister, ah, Elton,” Lacey said, “I really don’t want to waste your time...”

“You’re not. Quit worrying.”

Lacey bit her lip. “Well...all right. I admit I am curious.”

He grinned. “I figured you would be.”

Elton led her to a windowless room with florescent ceiling lights, where a desk and computer shared space with file cabinets and shelves overflowing with books and papers. Sitting behind his desk, he motioned Lacey into a side chair.

“Here’s the deal,” he began. “For this year’s Silver River Days celebration, we’re publishing a special edition of the Sentinel, with articles about the history of the town and—”

“Here we are.” Clio bustled in carrying a tray holding the coffee, and the next few moments were spent with Lacey saying no, thank you to creamer and sugar, and Elton doctoring his with both.

After Clio left, Elton continued, “Sara Hoskins started the project. She’s one of our freelancers. Then her husband had major heart surgery, and she had to quit and take care of him.”

“That’s too bad, but—”

Elton held up a hand. “There’s more. The job also includes writing some articles for our regular issue about the Silver River Days activities.”

“The assignment sounds interesting, but I can’t do it. I won’t be in town that long.”

“Can’t you get time off from your job? You’d be doing us a huge favor. Plus, I know your grandmother would like to have you here longer.”

Lacey shook her head. “My boss has already granted me some extra time for this trip.”

“Think about it. Maybe you’ll find a way.”

“I don’t want to keep you from asking someone else.”

“There is no one else. Not with your experience. At least say you’ll give my proposal some thought.” He plucked a business card from a holder on the desk and handed it to her.

Lacey tucked the card into her purse. “All right. I’ll think about it overnight and give you a final answer tomorrow.”

* * *

RORY DROVE DOWN Main Street on his way to Dalton Properties. He usually worked afternoons, but this morning A.J. wanted him to attend a meeting with potential buyers for several houses they’d acquired at auction. He’d rather be at the shop, of course, but for now, he juggled both jobs. One of these days, though...

While waiting at a red light, he idly looked around. Lots of people out and about already. His gaze landed on a familiar car parked in front of the Silver River Sentinel’s office. A white Camaro convertible. Lacey’s car. Had to be. There wouldn’t be two cars like that in town.

Just then, she stepped out the office door. Behind her was Elton Watts. They stood talking for a moment, and then Lacey turned away and approached her car. At the same time, the light changed, and Rory drove through the intersection.

He wondered what business she had with Elton. Probably placing an ad to sell some of her grandmother’s stuff. Or maybe she’d just stopped in to say hello. Naw, that wasn’t like her. As far as he knew, when she came to town she confined her visiting to her grandmother.

* * *

A COUPLE HOURS LATER, after the meeting was over and the last buyer had left the conference room, A.J. turned to Rory. “That went well. Those old houses will soon be replaced by a new subdivision.” He scooped up some papers from the table. “Speaking of old houses, anything new on the Whitfield place?”

Rory followed A.J. from the room and into the hallway. “As a matter of fact, I saw Remy yesterday...”

“Hey, fast work.”

“And I made her the offer. Which she turned down.”

A.J. stopped at the door to his office and turned. “I told you you’d be wasting your time.”

Rory held up a hand. “I’m not giving up. Lacey was there, too, of course, and she was being very protective of her grandmother. Once she’s gone, I’ll try again.”

“Huh. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for that deal to go through.”

* * *

AFTER LUNCH IN the Riverview dining room, Lacey and Gram took a walk. They followed the paved path that meandered through the grounds, past flower gardens and picnic tables and benches.

Lacey wanted to enjoy the outing, but she was preoccupied. And she couldn’t discuss Elton’s job offer or the matter of her mother’s journal with her grandmother. Gram would encourage her to take Elton’s offer, and she wouldn’t approve of Lacey’s having read the journal.

Rory’s image popped into Lacey’s mind. If only she could confide in him. When they were in high school, they shared everything, from their day-to-day problems to their hopes and dreams. But of course she could never confide in him now.

They reached the river and followed the path along the bank. The water flowed steadily along, sparkling in the sunlight. On the opposite side, farmland stretched to the foothills, and beyond stood the mountains.

“Let’s stop awhile.” Lacey pointed to a wrought-iron bench under a stand of cottonwood trees.

“All right.”

After positioning Gram’s wheelchair beside the bench, Lacey sat. She leaned back and rested her hands in her lap, relishing the soft breeze cooling her cheeks. Still, her problems kept her tense.

“As long as I can visit the river now and then,” Gram said, “I feel at home. Your mother loved the water, too.”

Lacey let a few moments elapse and then said, “I, ah, read some of Mother’s journal last night...”

She expected an angry outburst from Gram, but none came. She cast her a cautious glance. “Don’t you want to know what she wrote about?”

“No, I don’t.” Gram clamped her jaw shut and folded her arms. “Like I told you, a journal is private.”

“I’m going to tell you anyway, because I have some questions.”

Gram shifted in her chair so that she faced Lacey. Her eyes were angry. “Is that why you brought me here? To make me a captive audience?”

Lacey spread her hands. “Please, bear with me, just a little.”

“All right, say what’s on your mind and get it over with.”

Lacey took a deep breath. “She wrote about the amethyst necklace Grandfather gave her, the one that belonged to his mother. And how upset she was when she lost it at the restaurant.”

Silence, except for the shushing sound of the flowing water and the twittering birds perched in a nearby tree.

“And that someone found it—she didn’t write his name—and planned to return it to her on...on that day.”

“So?”