Page 29 of Trace of Doubt
Truth could hurt worse than a smack in the face. I knew Denton’s identity before I’d confronted him, and still I toggled between anger and disappointment. Why would I confess to a murder and accept the consequences that could have ended my life and lie about a theft?
I pedaled faster. This morning in church when the older man had complained about my presence in the community, I tried to bolt. Amy-Jo grabbed my hand and held it in a viselike grip, forcing me to endure the humiliating torment as though she knew my instinct was to flee. But when I finally shook her loose and chose to address the church, peace flooded my whole being.
On the other hand, Amy-Jo claimed this was the first time she’d attended church in years, but Edie had asked her to sit with me. From what she’d seen from the mouthy old man, Amy-Jowould be accompanying me in the future as my personal bodyguard. At times, I wondered about her crusty ways. Maybe like me, she came from a troubled past.
Pastor Emory’s message about loving our enemies was aimed at me. Why not title the message “Shelby Pearce is not your enemy. Just love her and everything will be okay”?
I wish. Anxiety reached out to consume me. If I wasn’t careful, I’d slip into paralyzing depression. My release from prison and my hope of a better future needed more than over-the-top encouragement on the part of the pastor. Surely his faith hadn’t overshadowed the reality of having a convicted felon in the midst of his congregation.
I had met Mrs. Emory today, and she appeared not exactly friendly but cordial. She might have objected to her husband’s donation to my jewelry business, or maybe the tension about my arrival had moved him not to tell her. How many problems had I caused? Amy-Jo’s business seemed incredibly busy, but my observations were before the newspaper article.
Leave it alone.
I was overthinking, overreacting, not weighing the facts, and leaving God out of the picture. Besides, I suspected who’d instigated the problems—Officer Hughes or Special Agent McClure.
But bitterness only served to harden hearts and build impregnable walls. The people of Valleysburg needed time to accept me just like I needed time to work through many of their glares and remarks. No wonder unforgiveness stopped so many people from ever finding peace. I struggled with forgiving those who’d wronged me... even Marissa, who’d shed tears of gratitude when I stepped forward to take the blame for Travis’s death.
I was determined to find beauty in small things.
Good things had happened this week—new friendships, an enjoyable job, an unexpected furry companion, and an opportunity to sell my jewelry glistened like precious gems and stones.
A patch of wild daises leaning against a rickety, wooden fencecaught my attention. They nodded in the gentle spring breeze as though encouraging me to stay strong and avoid taking matters personally. Nature... I loved it so.
The hum of an approaching vehicle caused me to veer onto the grassy shoulder. I glanced behind me to make sure it wasn’t a black pickup. Great... Denton had chased me down. But my sights aimed toward home, and I had no inclination to endure whatever his excuse for bending the law in his behalf.
The hot truck engine breathed on me, and Denton slowed. The low whish of the power window reinforced his resolve to get my attention. “Shelby, can we talk?”
Seriously? My stomach craved the lunch nestled in Styrofoam, and irritation pelted me. Neither was decent company.
“Let me take you home.”
I pedaled faster.
“I want to hear your side of the story.”
How long could I continue biting my tongue? He’d lied to me from the moment he introduced himself as the great guy who lived close by. Denton McClure had much to learn from Mr. Rogers about being a good neighbor.
“Whose idea was it to call me with a shove toward suicide?”
“I haven’t made any calls to you.”
“Right. That’s low, don’t you think? Or do you just break and enter?”
“I’d like to explain. I want to believe in your innocence. Can you prove to me you know nothing about the stolen money?”
His plea sounded like a whining boy instead of an immature, annoying grown man.
Every crack and stone in the road caught my attention—anything to keep my mind occupied.
“Shelby?”
“You have all the evidence pointing to my innocence. End of discussion.”
He gunned his engine and passed me, spitting a fog of dust anddirt. Once he disappeared, I released the tension in my knotted shoulders.
At the cabin, I scanned the area for signs of unwanted company. The rocks I’d placed on the steps hadn’t been kicked aside, and the folded piece of paper stuck between the threshold and door hadn’t been moved. Satisfied my privacy hadn’t been invaded, I chained the bicycle to the front porch, stepped inside with my lunch, and locked the door behind me. I loved on Joy while each room received a thorough inspection.
I’d worried about my puppy while I was gone. Doubtful the person threatening me would spare my sweet pet. Even Denton wouldn’t stoop to such degradation. Officer Hughes? He leaned toward the do-anything mode.
