A Soldier's Journey

“You piqued my interest,” Andy replied.

“Good.”

“But there was nothing about American Indians and gold mines and Scottish traders.”

“I have to admit we have a lot of work to do on the museum, but you’ll find bits and pieces of the history. Some exaggerated, some not. Gold was found in the mountains around us, but no one found the amounts discovered farther north. As for the natives, the Utes lived in this area until they were moved west and were mortal enemies of the Apaches, who wandered this way occasionally.”

“And the trader? Angus. I didn’t see much about him.”

“You’ll find it as you delve into it.”

“The journals you mentioned? Am I going into a minefield?” Andy asked.

Eve looked startled, then she smiled. “You’re direct. I like that.” She took a sip from her glass. “A little history will probably help,” she said. “I was city clerk before running for mayor. The former mayor did very little to nothing, which made Al Monroe happy.

“After my husband died,” she continued, “I was at a loss. The mayor decided not to run again, but I’d really been doing his job. My father-in-law urged me to run and, on a dare, I did. No one was more surprised than me when I defeated Al’s chosen candidate. We were at loggerheads for the next three years. He made it nearly impossible for any businesses to move here while I watched all the young people leave town.”

Interest stirred in Andy. “I saw in the local newspaper he’d resigned from the council?”

“His nephew, Sam, was on the police force. He wanted to be chief, and I was opposed to it. So Sam decided to make a name for himself. He committed some petty burglaries and tried to frame Josh, the newcomer to Covenant Falls.”

Andy was feeling more at ease as Eve talked. She didn’t seem to be holding anything back.

“When Josh first arrived, he was in pretty bad shape. He was rude to everyone and stayed to himself. He was the perfect foil.”

“Obviously not,” Andy said wryly, “since you married him, you’re still mayor and the ex-commissioner is nursing his wounds.”

Eve grinned at her. “Obviously not,” she agreed. “But that wasn’t the worst of it. Sam kidnapped my son. Josh and his dog, Amos, found him.”

“Where is the nephew now?”

“In jail. He pleaded guilty and received a short sentence, but Al felt he had to resign from the commission. He apologized, which I think was very difficult for him to do, and retreated from everything but his business. He owns the real estate and insurance companies, along with an interest in the bank, which has a branch in his offices.”

“And he harbors bad feelings toward you?”

“Against the whole town, I think. It elected me mayor twice, and he feels it was a repudiation of him. It wasn’t. They’re just scared the town is dying.”

“And you’re sending me into the lion’s den?”

“Nothing as dramatic as that. Thing is, I like him. He’s had a lot of tragedies. His wife couldn’t have children and she’s been ill. She pretty much dropped out of everything. His only other family was a sister, but she and her husband died in a car crash. Al raised their boy, Sam. Spoiled him. The whole kidnapping thing destroyed him.”

Sympathy surged through Andy. She knew loss all too well.

And she suddenly realized why Eve had asked her to write the history. “Were you going to ask me to do this before you met me?”

“No.”

“You think Al Monroe and I would be good for each other?”

Eve sighed. “You’re too perceptive. I won’t lie to you. I had that thought. Not romantically, of course. He’s happily married. But he needs something...”

“You baited me neatly.” Andy couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice. She’d liked Eve, but she didn’t like being used.

“No. The town really does need a history. Al does have his supporters. The town is divided, and neither side trusts the other. That’s why I thought an outsider would be a good idea. After I met you, I sensed that you might get through to Al. I don’t know why.”

It was an apology of sorts, and even an implied compliment. Her resentment faded away. “Has anyone seen the journals?” she asked.

Eve shook her head. “His nephew bragged about having seen journals, but when I asked Al about them, he was very non-committal.”

“Maybe there’s something in them that he doesn’t want someone to see,” Andy surmised.

“After a hundred and fifty years?” Eve said.

“Or,” Andy said, “maybe they don’t even exist.”

“That could be true, too,” Eve said, “but he’s never denied their existence. I think he’s just proud and stubborn.”

Another voice broke in. “Are you ever going to bring Lieutenant Stuart out to meet the crew?”

Andy turned. Josh Manning—it must be Josh Manning—filled the doorway into the kitchen. He was tall, solidly built with tawny hair and emerald green eyes.

“Hello,” he said to her. “Welcome to Covenant Falls. I’m Josh, and I’ve come to save you from my wife.”

“Hi. I understand you’re my landlord. Thank you.”

“Thank my buddy. He left the cabin to me. It’s what he would have wanted.” His green eyes clouded over for a split second, then cleared. “I hope you’re comfortable.”

“It’s very nice. I took a walk up your mountain yesterday.”

“I did that on a regular basis. It usually cleared my head.” He peered down at Joseph. “Who is this?”

“Joseph.”

Her host leaned down. “He’s a handsome fellow. Okay to pet him?”

“Sure. He loves attention,” she said, suddenly at ease with Josh as he leaned down and rubbed Joseph’s ears.

“Come and meet my particular savior,” he said. “Or one of them.” He led the way outside, where a dog resembling a German shepherd stood at the step. “This is Amos, a Belgian Malinois,” he said. “He was a military dog before he became my best buddy.”

The two dogs, Amos and Joseph, looked at each other, sniffed each other thoroughly, then wagged their tails before retreating to their humans.

Andy took several steps down to a large patio, and Josh guided her over to a man and woman who were drinking long-necked beers. “The lady is Stephanie, veterinarian superb,” Josh said, “and the loafer is Clint Morgan, chopper pilot, police-chief-to-be and your predecessor at the cabin.”

Stephanie smiled. “Welcome,” she said. A striking redhead, she was nearly as tall as Clint. She eyed Joseph. “Shelties are great dogs. Where did you find him?”

Andy hesitated. She really hated to admit she’d needed help.

But then she shrugged. “A group specializing in matching dogs with veterans. A psychologist at the hospital arranged it.”