Page 94 of Trace of Doubt
56
SHELBY
If good times were snapshots of blessings, Saturday night with Dad, Aria, and Denton had filled my memory’s scrapbook. Aria and I cleaned up from supper while Denton took Dad to see Big Red. I knew the topic of their conversation, but I was confident in Denton’s explanation of the phone call. Sheriff Wendall arranged for two off-duty officers to keep an eye on the cabin.
For a little while, I relaxed and allowed normal to seep into my heart and soothe the turmoil. If only I could make these hours last forever. As the evening wore on, Denton suggested a game called Scattergories. I’d forgotten how competitive Dad and I were at games, while Aria and Denton laughed at our antics.
Once in bed with Aria’s soft, rhythmic breathing beside me, I tried to stay awake... just in case. My body had a mind of its own, however.
Sunday morning, I woke early and tiptoed into the kitchen,where Dad and I swung into action with breakfast. Coffee sounded really good, so I took the grinder outside not to waken Aria or Denton. A police car was parked not far away.
Comfort, treasured comfort.
A few ideas had occurred to me about once more faking my death. But I had no time to ponder them now.
Back inside, Dad grated potatoes, and I placed bacon into a huge cast-iron skillet. Edie must have thought Denton’s cabin needed the skillet to cook for a dozen people. We used Mom’s recipe for scrambled eggs, adding sautéed mushrooms and whipped cream cheese.
Standing so close to Dad nearly brought on a gush of tears. “Thanks,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me feel like a father again.”
I swallowed hard. “Are we able to move forward?”
“Hope so.” He stopped kneading biscuit dough. “Your mother had plenty to say to me before she died. Things that seemed ludicrous at the time but are making more and more sense.”
“I’m puzzled.”
He sniffed. “Ever hear knowledge is horizontal but wisdom is vertical?” I shook my head. “For three decades, I used knowledge to live my life. Your mother chased after wisdom.” He stared into my eyes, his gaze a torrent of pain and grief. “She believed you loved your sister enough to take the blame for Travis’s murder.”
My heart thudded loud enough to wake Mom and Travis from the grave. Doubt, worry, and the constant looking over my shoulder pressed on me. I would not put Dad through the agony of danger by admitting the truth.
“You’re pale, little girl, and there’s no need to say a word. Marissa’s history and her abandoning Aria speak loud and clear.”
“I confessed, remember?”
“Sacrifice always has a price. Can you forgive this old man for using knowledge and lies instead of wisdom to seek the truth?”
“Dad, we all have a journey to walk. I’ve never stopped loving you and forgiveness happened years ago. I shouldn’t have given up writing you in prison.”
He picked up a biscuit cutter and pressed it into the dough. “Reality has hit us hard. Denton told me about last night’s call and details about the other threats and shootings. The person responsible will pay.” He focused on me, and I flushed hot. “Whoever it is.”
My thoughts reached back to my last conversation with Mom... Aria’s concerns about Marissa... and the identity of the one person who feared what I knew and might not hesitate to kill me. If I’d figured it out, how much longer until everyone else realized the improbable was a reality?
“I will have a long talk with Aria on the way back home.”
“You might not appreciate what she has to say.”
“I don’t care.” He wiped his hands on a towel and drew me into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
We sobbed together.
Reconciliationwas the most beautiful word in the English language. I leaned against the porch post and watched the car disappear with Aria and Dad. A profound loneliness settled on me, choking me like a thick cloud of dust. Each breath hurt. My chest ached. I’d been blessed beyond earthly understanding, and His favor humbled me.
The door opened behind me. I couldn’t pretend emotion hadn’t overtaken my heart. Oh, the struggle to keep from crumbling.
I swallowed.
I blinked.
