Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat Read online

  ‘I’ll fetch you more. I promise,’ he whispered and she smiled against his cheek.

  ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’

  Fee’s awkward smile said she wasn’t at ease around children but wouldn’t be seen as unwilling.

  ‘Thanks, but we’re good. I almost brought up my twin sisters when Mama worked at the cafe with my aunt. Seen it all. Done it. Not a problem. We won’t be long.’ He headed inside, glancing back at Fee. ‘Don’t you dare run off or I’ll have an unhappy little girl on my hands.’

  ‘But, I …’

  He strode off inside before she could argue. Tom raided his emergency clothes supply and pulled out a pair of white shorts and a blue cotton sweater which hopefully wouldn’t be too big for Lulu. His family visited all the time so he’d raided the Goodwill store and stashed away a variety of sizes and genders of clothes because someone was always falling in the lake or splashing themselves with spaghetti sauce.

  ‘There we go, Lulu. All clean and ready for more ice cream.’ She peered at her reflection in the mirror then back at him. Tom guessed he’d scored a zero on the fashion front but plastered on a big smile and held out his hand. ‘Come on, let’s go show Miss Winter how cute you look.’ Lulu didn’t say a word. She didn’t need to because a man always knew when he’d failed a woman.

  Chapter Four

  Fee glanced up as they stepped back onto the porch. The little girl clung onto Tom’s hand and was wearing new, distinctly uncoordinated, baggy clothes. ‘Well, aren’t you looking prettier than ever?’ Her attempt at cheering Lulu didn’t alter the child’s dubious expression. ‘I love your cute blue jumper.’

  ‘My what?’ Lulu’s nose wrinkled.

  Tom cleared his throat and the edges of his mouth quivered. ‘Miss Winter’s talking about your sweater. Where she lives they call it a jumper.’

  ‘That’s silly, it can’t jump,’ Lulu declared.

  Behind the child’s back Tom gave Fee a long, slow wink and she fought against giggling, something she hadn’t done in twenty years.

  ‘How about more ice cream, ladies?’ he asked.

  Big tears welled in Lulu’s huge eyes. ‘I’ve had ‘nuff, Uncle T. I want my mama.’

  A slice of long suppressed pain cut through Fee’s heart. She thought of the hundreds of times she’d begged for the exact same thing. Homeless children in Peru, abused women in Ethiopia, or downtrodden miners in the Congo – fighting for good causes was always higher on Maddy Winter’s priority list than her only child. No doubt it was where she’d got her own single-mindedness where her job was concerned and why she’d never have a family of her own. She could never put a child through the loneliness she’d endured. Every child was precious and should be cherished – she’d seen enough families destroyed by war or famine but still holding on to the only things of real importance: the people they loved. Fee accepted there was something lacking in her make-up, the same as it’d been in her mother’s. That was simply how it was.

  Tom glanced at his watch. ‘Sure thing, baby girl. We’ll go back to Mommy Ina’s and your mama will be home real soon. I’ll put our dishes in the kitchen and we’ll be off.’

  ‘I could do that,’ Fee offered.

  ‘No problem. Won’t take me a minute.’

  He probably didn’t want her poking around in his home but was too polite to say so. Fee nodded. ‘I’ll be on my way and let you two get on.’

  ‘Care to take a ride into Pine Ridge with us?’

  Lulu tugged on Fee’s hand. ‘Please. Mommy Ina’s apple pie is so good.’

  ‘I couldn’t eat another thing.’ Fee mock-groaned. ‘Your uncle stuffed me with too much yummy ice cream.’ The little girl’s face fell and she wished she’d thought before speaking.

  ‘Nothing stoppin’ you takin’ a look around, is there?’ Tom put her on the spot and Fee shook her head. ‘I’ll go in and grab my keys while you ladies get in the truck.’

  Fee took hold of Lulu’s small, warm hand and they walked down the cabin steps together. She lifted the little girl up and settled her in the car seat.

  ‘Don’t you know how it works?’ Lulu whined when she struggled to buckle the seat belt, confused by the array of straps and where they were supposed to go.

  ‘Here, let me.’ Tom appeared by her right shoulder and she was instantly aware of his nearness and the clean fresh-air scent rising from his soft flannel shirt when he reached across her to snap Lulu’s belt in place.

  He popped a kiss on Lulu’s forehead. ‘Do you think I’ll have to do Miss Fee’s belt up too, pumpkin?’

  The thought of his big, competent hands touching her again made her glance down at the ground, anything to avoid him recognising her embarrassment. ‘Certainly not,’ she retorted.

  ‘Hop in the front and prove it, hotshot.’

  Without another word Fee climbed into the passenger seat and fixed her seat belt. She stared straight ahead and folded her hands primly on her lap while wishing she could answer him back with a joke. For two pins she’d get out and race back to the safety of her cabin.

  ‘Lulu will survive if you change your mind,’ he murmured. ‘I didn’t mean to railroad you. I’m real sorry.’

  Daring to look his way, the worry lurking in his warm eyes gave her the courage to shake her head. ‘

  ‘Hurry up, Uncle T. I want my Mama right now,’ Lulu yelled and kicked at the back of the seat.

  ‘That’s enough, Lulu. You need to be a good girl or Mommy Ina won’t let you come play with me again.’

  Tom’s kind, firm tone quieted the little girl and Fee couldn’t help thinking what a great father he’d make. Not that she had any personal experience because her father didn’t even know of her existence. She was curious as to why such a warm, family-oriented man didn’t appear to have his own kids.

  As they started off back down the gravel road Fee smiled to herself imagining Doctor Michael’s reaction if he could see her now. He’d be impressed to see her riding with a strange man and a child to meet people she didn’t know with no sign of a panic attack.

  ‘You can sit back and enjoy the drive instead of frettin’ where to turn and watchin’ out for our curvy roads,’ Tom quipped.

  ‘Thanks.’ She managed a tentative smile. Fee was soon drawn in by the kaleidoscope of autumn colours shimmering in the late afternoon sun. She always appreciated timeless stretches of land and this was one, altered by man but still intrinsically the way it’d been created.

  Although they didn’t speak there was nothing awkward about the silence. Once Tom glanced in his rear view mirror and slid Fee a sideways smile, pointing back across his shoulder at the sleeping little girl. Maybe this was what parents felt like enjoying a smattering of quiet moments in the middle of a hectic day.

  As they entered Pine Ridge she straightened and stared out of the car window. When she drove through this morning she’d hadn’t taken much notice of the small town. Most of the buildings were made of the local red bricks and all looked neat and well cared for. Several had colourful wooden signs indicating a shop or office and people strolled along the pavements going about their business. Fee couldn’t imagine it’d changed much in decades.

  ‘This is Main Street,’ Tom announced with a touch of irony. ‘I’m not sure why it’s called that because it’s the only business area we’ve got.’

  ‘Perhaps to give it delusions of grandeur,’ she teased. His instant warm laughter ran through her and she couldn’t help smiling back. Watch it. ‘Oh, goodness.’ Fee startled as Tom pulled the truck to a stop in front of the one shop which stood out from all the others.

  ‘This one has delusions all right courtesy of Mary-Jo, our sweet Lulu’s Mama.’

  Fee gaped, open-mouthed, at the array of Halloween decorations swamping the tiny building. ‘Dare I ask what it looks like at Christmas?’

  ‘When we’ve got through the trick or treatin’ season in a couple of weeks, Mary-Jo will replace this little lot with pumpkins and scarecrows for Thanksgiving
. After that’s over it’ll be the turn of Santa Claus, reindeer and candy canes. Maybe you’ll hang around and find out what it all looks like. I, um …’ Tom paled and stumbled over his words. Luckily at that moment Lulu wailed from the back seat and Fee suppressed a smile as he leapt out of the car to rescue the tearful child.

  Tom hung back by the cash register and left them to it. He’d intended to stay at Fee’s side and protect her from his exuberant family but after her smirk when he’d stuck his size thirteen feet in a metaphorical pile of shit earlier she could manage on her own. He sipped a cup of coffee and wondered how soon he could suggest leaving.

  ‘Your friend’s an interesting woman.’ Mary-Jo appeared by his elbow, balancing Lulu on her hip and nodding in Fee’s direction.

  ‘She’s a guest, that’s all.’

  ‘Yeah, right.’ His cousin sniggered. It must be his day for women finding him funny in the wrong sort of way. ‘I wonder how she ended up here?’

  He shrugged. ‘She mentioned a friend telling her about Black Cherry Retreat but didn’t give me any name so I’m not sure.’

  ‘Are you as dumb as you look, Tom?’

  What had he said now?

  ‘When Fee told me her full name I knew who she was right away.’

  Tom had noticed she wrote Freebird on her registration form but hadn’t questioned it. ‘She’s got a weird name, so what?’

  Mary-Jo rolled her eyes. ‘I guess I picked up on it because of this semester’s photography course I’m taking but you’re always glued to the news so didn’t you recognise it?’

  ‘Get on with it, kid. I don’t have a goddamn clue what you’re on about.’

  She wagged her finger in his face and her eyes danced with mischief. ‘Language. If my mama hears you she’ll bat you from one end of the cafe to the other. Don’t you remember the story about six months ago of a French photojournalist being blown up in Kabul?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘The photos ended up on the front of every newspaper in the world. And the woman who took them as it happened right in front of her?’ Mary-Jo persisted. ‘That was none other than Freebird Winter, winner of three Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other prestigious awards for her work in hotspots around the world. She’s a legend in the photographic community.’

  Tom cursed, well under his breath this time. ‘Did you tell Fee you’d recognised her name?’ Mary-Jo shook her head. ‘Good. Don’t.’

  ‘Why not? I bet if my media professor knew she was here he’d give anything to have her come talk to us.’

  ‘I’m serious.’ He grabbed Mary-Jo’s elbow. ‘Don’t you dare say a word. If she wants to tell us that’s one thing. Otherwise she’s a guest and we respect her privacy.’

  She jerked out of his grasp, rubbing at her arm. ‘All right, don’t be a bully. I can keep a secret if I have to.’

  ‘Good. I …’

  Mary-Jo flashed him a warning smile and he shut up as Fee came over to stand next to them. ‘Next time you come to town we’ll get ice cream at Suzy-Beth’s.’

  ‘What is it with your family trying to stuff ice cream into me?’ Fee joked. He struggled not to overreact as her cool blue eyes, the mesmerising colour of the sky on a cold December day, rested on him. ‘Would you mind if we went back to the Retreat?’

  ‘No problem,’ he said. ‘I’ll say goodbye to everyone and we’ll be off.’

  Five minutes and they were back in his truck heading out of town complete with a chicken and rice casserole and apple pie his aunt foisted on him on the way out of the door.

  ‘You’re a lucky man.’

  Fee’s quiet, steady words touched him. At a wild guess he’d say she either didn’t have family or wasn’t close to them; neither of which he could imagine in his worst nightmares and he’d had plenty of those. ‘Yeah, I know.’

  They made the rest of the drive in silence and as he turned off the main road Tom’s brain raced. Should he drop Fee off at her cabin or invite her in for coffee? When the resort came into sight he was no nearer to making a decision.

  Chapter Five

  Fee guessed the direction of Tom’s thoughts and made the choice for him. ‘I’m ready for a quiet evening. I’ll get out at your cabin and walk on up.’

  ‘You sure? I’ve all this food and only me to eat it.’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Fee needed to put a polite stop to whatever “this” was right now. She told herself she didn’t need a friend and wasn’t looking for another lover. ‘I’ll see you around.’

  He parked but made no move to get out.

  ‘Thanks very much for the ice cream and for showing me around town. It’s kind of you to be so welcoming to your guests.’

  Tom’s eyes darkened and he turned away. Quickly opening his door he leapt out, striding around the truck to open hers before she could beat him to it. ‘You’re welcome.’ He stepped back to let her out. ‘Always happy to make guests feel at home. I’d better get on with the paperwork. It doesn’t do itself.’ Tom gave her a taut smile. He slammed her door and strode away, taking the couple of steps in one leap and disappearing inside his cabin without another word.

  Fine. Be pissed off. I don’t care. So much for his mantra of leaving guests alone. She should have said no to ice cream and the stupid Pine Ridge expedition in the first place. Fee slung her worn leather tote bag over her shoulder and headed along the path. Lights shone in the cabin next to hers so she hurried on by, anxious to reach the safety of her own porch. She didn’t need any more well-meaning friendly people today.

  Fee’s hands shook and she struggled with the key before managing to unlock her door. Inside she rested her back against the smooth wood before taking several slow, deep breaths to steady herself back down. Before she left London her therapist helped her put together a timetable to structure her time here. So far she’d ignored it but now she snatched up the copy she’d abandoned on the coffee table earlier. Fee studied the instructions with a sinking heart.

  Five o’clock. Half an hour of yoga practice followed by meditation.

  Six o’clock. Prepare a light healthy supper.

  Seven o’clock. Read from the approved list of books.

  Eight o’clock. Take a warm bath with essential oils.

  Nine o’clock. Go to bed and sleep without medication.

  At this moment Fee wished herself anywhere on the face of the planet except stuck in this cabin with no one but herself for company.

  Tom sat at his desk, kicked off his boots and slipped on his reading glasses before sorting through the mail. He put the bills to one side, tossed the junk mail in the recycling box and scanned over the one envelope left. An invitation to a police function in Knoxville. Wonderful. He wished they’d quit sending them. He’d no intention of sitting around with a bunch of fellow cops rehashing the old days because there wasn’t much in the way of good memories where he was concerned. Sandy asked recently if he missed the job and Tom’s cynical laughter made his brother wince.

  Surely you’re not happy babysitting a few dumb tourists?

  When he assured Sandy he was perfectly content he’d got a disbelieving look in return. While he’d kept busy renovating the cabins his family stayed off his back but now the work was pretty much done they were getting on his nerves. Sure it was a quiet life but he found he didn’t mind. There was time to fish, hike, dabble in a little guitar playing on long winter evenings and study up on the history about what had brought the Chambers family to the local area. If he wondered whether he’d soon be settled in the role of slightly eccentric uncle, Tom didn’t let it consume him.

  Forcing himself to get back to work he ploughed on and in an hour had his desk clear. Tom glanced out at the fading light and realised he’d missed the chance to walk off his excess energy. He pushed back his chair and headed into the kitchen to reach for the bottle of Jack Daniels, then grabbed a glass and wandered back out onto the porch.

  The warm, muted light drifting out from the cabin was soothing and Tom dropped down into his favou
rite rocking chair. The early evening air had morphed into the crisp October temperatures he relished. Tom poured a measured amount of whisky into the glass and sipped the deep golden liquid, allowing it to trickle down his throat so he could savour the long, slow burn. He’d never been much of a drinker apart from in the months after Gina’s death. Falling apart hadn’t suited him and after a hefty mental kick in the backside from his father he’d put a stop to his weakness as easily as if he’d never touched a drop. After a while he was able to allow himself the occasional glass but with self-imposed restrictions he never broke.

  Mary-Jo’s revelation rolled around his brain and he was glad there was no internet coverage up here or he’d be tempted to poke around and find out things it’d be better not to know. The small amount his cousin revealed was enough to make it clear why Fee was one messed-up lady. When he couldn’t face staying around Pine Ridge another day after Gina died he’d spent two years doing security work in Iraq. Plenty long enough to be haunted at night and give him a hint of what Fee must’ve seen and been a part of. Afterwards it’d taken all his time to get somewhat back on even ground and maybe that’s what she was striving for by coming to Black Cherry. Tom polished off the rest of his whisky and picked up the bottle, eyeing the level carefully before setting it back down.

  A loud buzzing noise from indoors startled him and he realised it was the radio. Tom hurried in to hear his father’s booming voice.

  ‘I’ve got some news, son. Two prisoners escaped the Knox County Jail this afternoon. One is the Kemp boy and the other was his cellmate. There’s been a possible sighting of them in Chattanooga already and my guess is they’re high-tailing it south. It’s unlikely they’ll head back our way but keep your eyes out and alert your guests just in case.’

  ‘Will do, Pop. I’d recognise Pete but what’ve you got on the other one?’

  ‘The name’s Randy Watling. Age thirty-five. Heavy-set. Caucasian. Light brown hair. Blue eyes. Got a rattlesnake tattoo on his right arm and a jagged scar on his left cheek. He’s dangerous and up for three murders.’