Page 3 of Legends: Easton (Legends of Fire Creek #3)

“In a nutshell, yes. Don’t you?”

Bailee blew out a long breath. “Maybe. It’s just hard when you can’t see what that reason might be.”

Darby Anne nodded and motioned toward the kitchen table. “Sit down, sweetheart, and I’ll fix our plates.”

Bailee offered to help, but Gran shooed her away. Once Bailee occupied a chair where she could watch Gran move about the kitchen, Roxy, with her belly full and her thirst quenched, piled under the table to lie on Bailee’s feet. Bailee knew it would be a matter of seconds before the dog fell asleep.

Darby Anne brought over a simple meal of chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad, and fruit, and Bailee’s mouth watered to remind her of how hungry she was.

Glasses of sweet tea completed the fare, and as much as she wanted to dig in, she waited until Darby Anne sat and asked a blessing over the food.

They ate in silence for several minutes.

Bailee was enjoying her meal too much to feel awkward in the quiet.

If anything, she felt calm, and the magic that was her grandparents’ home washed over her.

She had often wondered why Gran didn’t sell the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house after Pops passed away, but now she understood.

His presence could still be felt here, even ten or so years after his death.

That, in addition to her Gran’s unique touch on the old house, was the balm to her soul that Bailee needed.

“It’s good to have you here, Bailee Anne.” Gran’s words made her wonder if she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. “I worried for you, and I’m glad to see you’re none the worse for wear.”

Bailee winced. “I don’t know about that, but I am sorry I worried you. I never expected to be away so long.”

“I know. I also know you can’t tell me any details, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have to know what happened to be delighted that you’re here. How was your visit with your parents? Were you able to speak with Adam at all?”

Bailee’s older brother was a career military man, moving up to the rank of colonel in the U.S.

Army. Seven years her elder, Adam had been more of a protector than a brother growing up, but as adults, especially after she graduated from the police academy, they had gotten closer.

Their experiences were different but similar enough that she had a kindred spirit for those times when she needed to vent about the stresses of the job.

She speared a corkscrew pasta with her fork and slid the cool morsel into her mouth.

“The visit was great. I think Mom was disappointed that I didn’t stay longer, but she understood that I wanted to spend time with you.

She said you and she talked almost every day while I was undercover.

I was hoping to speak with Adam, but he’s away on an assignment and unreachable.

I left a message for him, but his assistant said he wasn’t sure when Adam would be available to call. ”

“We’ve all missed you, so I have no doubt that Adam will call as soon as he’s able.

His assignment is confidential, but he’s not in danger.

Your father told me when he called to tell me you had arrived at their house.

And yes, we all talked on a regular basis while you were undercover.

As hard as it is for us to watch you put your life at risk, we’re proud of you for what you do to keep others safe.

You’re fulfilling your calling on your life, and I’m thankful I’m here to see it. ”

A slight smile curved Bailee’s lips. “Thanks, Gran. You’ve always had a way of understanding me and what I do.”

Darby Anne shook her head. “There’s no trick to empathizing with you. I love you. It’s as simple as that.”

“I love you, too.” Bailee hesitated, indecision gripping her. “I feel like I should explain.”

Darby Anne studied her, eating her meal as she waited. Bailee swallowed the lump in her throat and decided to go for broke.

“If you’ve been watching the news at all, you’ve already heard about a lot of this, though you can’t always believe everything you see on the news.

Anyway, my undercover assignment was with the ATF on a drug and gun trafficking ring because I believed one of the criminals involved had killed my confidential informant.

It turns out my partner was the one who killed her because he was working with the gang.

I found the evidence to put him away and take down most of the gang members, but now I only have a handful of people I trust because my colleagues hate me for turning on one of our own.

So I came here to get away from it all. I hate feeling like I’m running from my problems, but my handler with the ATF felt it was best to lie low for a while. ”

Bailee was breathing hard by the time she finished, and the silence that filled the kitchen was heavy.

She was acutely aware of Roxy’s weight on her feet and the intensity of her grandmother’s stare.

She didn’t regret confiding in Darby Anne, but she could have explained it better.

Getting it out in a rush, leaving out a large chunk of the anguish and emotional pain she’d worked through, was like dropping a pile of garbage on her grandmother’s head and refusing to help her clean up.

“You were hurt.”

The words didn’t sound like a question, but Bailee took it as one. “Not really. One of the gang members pulled a knife during the takedown, but I was able to surprise him and knock it out of his hand. He nicked me on the bicep, but I only needed a couple of stitches. I hardly noticed it.”

Darby Anne’s lips drew into a tight line. “I’m glad to hear you weren’t more seriously injured, but I wasn’t talking about physical hurt.”

Understanding dawned. Bailee nodded slowly, blinking back the tears that pricked her eyes. “Yes, I was hurt.”

Darby Anne sighed. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, sweetheart. What can I do?”

Bailee used her fork to push around her pasta salad. “What you’re doing. Feeding me. Caring for me. Taking me back to those summers I spent here with you and Pops.”

Darby Anne’s smile was slight and held a twinge of sadness, but her bright eyes sparkled. “I can do all of that.”

Bailee eyed Gran quizzically. “You have something in particular in mind, don’t you?”

Darby Anne sipped her tea. “Oh, honey. Have you ever known me not to be prepared? I have a list already made out, and I had an order filled at the hardware store. It’ll be delivered first thing tomorrow.”

Bailee laughed, the first really body-shaking laugh she’d had in a long time. “I should have known you would figure out exactly what I needed. Thanks, Gran. I can’t wait to get started.”

“You might rethink your words when you see my list. Do you know how long you plan to stay?”

“I don’t exactly know. I’ll be able to monitor the case from here, and when the time is right, I’ll go back to my life. Until then, I’m all yours.”

“Well, then eat up. I want tonight to be about catching up with each other and relaxing. Then tomorrow, we work.”

Bailee’s appetite suddenly returned. With her smile splitting her face, she attacked her sandwich, feeling the peace that only came from coming home.