Ch. 14: Linger
Walt felt Vic lurch against him when the voice boomed at them. As soon as the initial surprise passed, Walt peered at the figure that approached them. In front of him, Vic stepped away from, his hands leaving her as she pushed out a breath of relief.
"Jesus Christ, Zeke! You scared the shit out of us. What are you doing here?"
The big man surveyed her.
"I asked you first."
Walt exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and shook his head.
"Didn't know it was you."
Zeke looked over both of them. It was Vic that his eyes settled on and Vic that he addressed.
"Do you know how much trouble you could get in for being here?"
Her head bobbed slightly.
"Only if we get caught."
"I caught you. I could have been your DCI Agent."
"But…you're not. You never answered my question. What are you doing here?"
"Same thing as you I suppose. Looking around for something that might point to who really did this. You asked me to investigate. No investigation is complete without a visit to the crime scene. Did you find anything?"
Walt shook his head.
"No."
Zeke nodded.
"I haven't had time to look myself. I heard someone creeping around in here. You must not have parked close."
Vic tossed him a look.
"We're not stupid."
Zeke gave her a small smile.
"I didn't say you were."
His expression shifted and grew serious.
"You should be more careful, though. You're lucky it was me."
Walt had to agree with Zeke. He hadn't liked this idea from the moment that Vic introduced it.
"Right. We…should go."
Vic glanced his way and her chin dipped in acknowledgement.
"Yeah, we should."
She turned her eyes back to Zeke.
"Let us know if you find something."
Zeke nodded to her.
"Of course. Be careful."
"We will."
Walt started for the back door and the two of them slipped out. They carefully made their way down the street to where they parked and started out of the neighborhood. Driving away should have given Walt some level of relief. It didn't. Even though they hadn't seen anyone, there was no guarantee that someone hadn't seen them. On the slightly brighter side, this wasn't exactly the kind of area where people willingly got involved with police investigations. Mostly. There were always exceptions to the rule.
He hoped this didn't come back and bite them in the ass as Vic would say.
He felt better once they reached the cabin after a drive that was too quiet even for Walt. His being silent was one thing. That same silence coming from Vic was altogether different.
Inside, she shrugged off her jacket and hung it up. Walt did the same with his coat and hat. Vic took a seat on the couch and leaned back. Her expression seemed distant. She was thinking about something. Walt lowered himself beside her and angled his body so that he could look at her more comfortably.
"Something on your mind?"
Her eyes met his, but the distance remained.
"That's kind of a dumb question."
Walt didn't take offense to the statement.
"Is there something that you want to talk about?"
She continued to look at him.
"Not really. Although, I have to admit that getting in the car and just driving away from all this looks more appealing all the time."
Her tone was flat.
"That won't solve anything."
"I know that. It's just…"
Her voice faded and she shook her head. He nearly prompted her, then thought wiser of it. She didn't seem to be in the mood to exercise any real patience. There was no reason to test her on that one and set her off.
"I do…"
She stopped again and his concern began to crest. She was struggling with something. That much was obvious.
"Vic."
He said her name softly, trying to ground her. She blinked a couple of times, resetting her thoughts.
"What if none of this works?"
He knew exactly what she was talking about.
"It will."
"But, what if it doesn't. What if I actually go to prison for this?"
It was a topic they hadn't discussed at length. He knew she thought about it. He certainly did. Neither of them vocalized it. Walt didn't see where it was helpful or productive. He preferred to think of the here and now. The what-ifs were too dangerous. But, the thoughts did creep in. Usually at night or when he was alone with his thoughts.
The expression on her face was haunted.
"You won't."
"You can't know that."
"I know that what they have so far seems circumstantial. It would be easy enough to refute."
She didn't look convinced.
"Walt, we both know that juries are unpredictable."
"Stop."
He said the word firmly.
"We need to…"
Walt stood up, cutting her off.
"No, we don't."
There was a finality to his words that not even Vic argued with. She simply looked at him. He felt a twinge of guilt.
Slowly, she stood up. Vic reached out a tentative hand and touched the material of his shirt with her fingertips.
"Walt."
Her voice was quiet now and lacked the worry that it possessed only a minute or so earlier when she seemed in danger of spinning out emotionally. Walt set his jaw.
"This conversation is over."
That was all he said, all he intended to say on the matter. Vic withdrew her hand and let it fall down to her side.
"Okay."
It didn't sound okay at all. It sounded like defeat and he hated to hear that coming from her. Still, this was a place that he was not prepared to go. The feeling of guilt doubled itself. He didn't want to be a cause of stress for her. Not with all of this going on.
Walt shifted on his feet.
"I should…"
He paused and glanced around the room.
"…go help Eli."
He saw the way she bit her lip. She wasn't happy about any of this. Right now, he couldn't help that. Walt moved away from her and collected the hat and coat that he had just hung up. For her part, Vic didn't say anything as he left the cabin, retreating into his own thoughts and stepping out into the daylight.
xxx
She hadn't meant to set him off.
Knowing Walt, he was already kicking himself for his reaction. During all of this, he'd been diligent about being patient with her even when she felt maybe she didn't deserve it. Everyone had their limits. She couldn't say much. She was the one who tended to react the exact way that he just did.
Vic walked over to the front window and looked out. From where she stood, she could see him out by the barn. She could also make out the slender form of Eli. Vic sighed and turned away from the window. She could go out there and try to continue talking to him. What would that serve, though? There was no reason to cause a scene in front of Eli.
Maybe he needed time.
She opted not to go to the barn just then. There would be time for that later. Vic checked the time and decided she might as well go into town to get Anna. Maybe they could find something to do until it was time to get Julian. There was no point in coming all the way home only to turn around and go back.
Vic pulled her jacket on and pocketed her phone. She left Walt to his work and slipped behind the wheel of her SUV. If he wanted to know where she was, he could call her.
The ride into town was quiet. Vic turned on the radio, not relishing the idea of sitting with her own thoughts for too long. She didn't pay the music much attention, simply appreciated the background noise.
The two of them wound up at the bookstore that Walt frequented. This time of the day, it was nearly empty. Vic wandered in with Anna's hand in hers and offered the owner a quick smile when the older woman greeted her. Of course, they knew Walt much better than her. Most people did.
Vic found the children's department and released Anna's hand. The toddler knew what to do thanks to Walt and she started to run her small hands over the books while she babbled to herself. Vic smiled and took a seat on a wooden bench to watch her. After a few minutes, Anna dropped onto the floor with a colorful book in her hands, opening the cardboard pages and tapping her fingers over them.
Vic watched her.
She couldn't read of course. But, she was mimicking the act. Mimicking Walt.
Vic smiled to herself. Their daughter may have looked like her, but she had inherited her fair share of her father's traits as well.
There was a time she hadn't even thought she would have a child. Once, she didn't even think much about it. She was focused on her career and having children simply wasn't a priority. When her marriage collapsed, she was somewhat grateful for that. It made the break between she and Sean cleaner.
Then, she found herself pregnant unexpectedly. Her initial reaction was one of fear. Fear that she would lose the life that she was accustomed to. Fear that she would lose her freedom and that she might not be allowed to do her job. Those feelings quickly gave way to something as unexpected as the pregnancy itself.
Love.
A love that she struggled to define in the wake of her miscarriage.
After that, she again resigned herself to the idea that she simply wasn't meant to be a mother. Even when she and Walt got together, it seemed like something that was unattainable for her. At Walt's age, he wasn't exactly looking to be a father again. They did talk about it. And, he was willing to try and give her a child if that was what she wanted. At the time, though, she was content with their life.
Or so she thought.
Finding out she was pregnant had been a shock since she was on birth control at the time. She knew it wasn't a hundred percent and there were always stories. She just never expected it to happen to her. As surprised as she had been, it wasn't an unwelcome revelation for her or Walt. On the contrary, it was a life altering moment that changed her entire trajectory. Theirs.
Now here they were on the far side of it all and she couldn't have dreamed up this family.
Except that it was all under threat.
"Mama."
Vic snapped out of her thoughts at Anna's voice to find her daughter holding out a book to her. Vic took it and hoisted Anna onto her lap where they started to look through the pages together.
If only her younger self could see her now.
It was in that moment that Vic felt someone's presence more than anything else. She looked up and felt something in her stomach tighten.
Whitlock.
How long had he been standing there?
Before she could even say anything, he held his hands up in a gesture that looked more defensive than anything.
"I…didn't know you were in here. I was out taking a walk and thought I would check this place out."
Her brow furrowed.
"You read children's books?"
He shook his head.
"No. I…"
He hesitated.
"…have a son."
He stopped again. Vic didn't respond.
"He's five. Thought I would look around and see if there was something he might like."
She wasn't sure she believed him. There was really no reason for her to. That would be an awful big coincidence even in a small town. Slowly, Vic slipped Anna from her lap and stood, book still in hand. Once she was on her feet, she picked up her daughter and shifted the weight to her hip. She handed Anna the book.
Whitlock took a step back.
"Don't leave on my account."
Vic eyed him.
"I need to pick up my son from school. We just came in here to…"
She stopped when she realized she was about to say "kill some time."
"Right. You know, I'm not out to get you here. This isn't personal."
She hated that phrase. It sure as hell felt personal when she was looking at prison time. It felt personal when he seemed to refuse any possibility that someone else committed this crime. Vic started to go around him, but he stepped into her path. Vic stood her ground.
"Move."
"I just…"
She shook her head and he went quiet.
"Get out of my way."
There was a pause before he did as she asked and stepped out of her way. Vic walked past him. Once she was away from him, she turned back and looked at him.
"The books for older kids are on the other side of the shelf."
With that, she left him where he stood, walking to the front of the store to pay for the book that Anna still held.
xxx
When Walt heard a vehicle bouncing down the road to the cabin, his first assumption was that it was Vic. Until he checked the time. It was still too early. He didn't need to ask where she went after he left. The time on his watch told him what he needed to know.
He should not have been so short with her. He just didn't want to talk about the very thing she brought up. When he expressed that, she pursued it anyway. It wasn't unlike Vic to push. That was what she did. He just wasn't ready to do this. Not yet.
At his age, he didn't really give much thought to the idea that he might have to raise their children without her. It was really the other way around. He worried about leaving Vic alone with two children. It seemed a much more likely scenario.
Still, he owed her an apology.
He knew better than to end a conversation that way.
It was the rumble of an engine that pulled him from his thoughts. Walt looked at his watch and frowned. Wiping his hands on his pants, he stepped out of the barn and into the sunlight. He recognized Carson Cooper's vehicle with the Cumberland County decals.
Walt tucked his hands into his coat pockets and started towards the cabin at a measured pace as Cooper pulled in and parked near the Bronco. He was out by the time Walt reached him.
"Afternoon, Walt. Is Vic around?"
Walt shook his head.
"No. Is there something I can do for you?"
Cooper looked around, his eyes taking in the property around them.
"You got time to talk?"
"Sure. You want to go in?"
Cooper shrugged.
"Barn works for me. Wouldn't mind having a look at the horses."
Walt started back for the barn with Cooper falling into step beside him.
"How's everything?"
"Taking it one day at a time."
Cooper glanced his way as they entered the barn. It was darker inside.
"I uh…I talked to Zeke."
That didn't surprise Walt. It was Cooper who suggested Vic for the job at Zeke's office.
"About?"
"His looking into my people. What's he found."
They slowly wandered down the row of stalls. Cooper took his time looking over the horses that were stabled there for boarding.
"And?"
Cooper paused and let out a sigh.
"I just don't know, Walt. It doesn't feel right."
He couldn't blame the man. No one wanted to think that someone they hired could have a darker motive. He'd been Sheriff for a lot of years and he could certainly understand.
"What part?"
"I've looked at all my guys and I don't see any of them being a part of this."
"He tell you about the one who has been seen with Wilkins at the Busy Bee?"
"He did. That kid is the nephew of Wilkins' ex-wife. I already knew that. We've talked about it more than once."
"The connection didn't bother you?"
"I don't believe in holding a man's family against him. I believe in giving people a chance. I know that I could be wrong about this. It just…doesn't feel right."
Walt considered him.
Trust was something that had come up a lot lately. There were only a few people that Walt truly trusted. Vic, of course. Cady. Henry. Ruby and Ferg. He trusted Cooper. He hadn't in the beginning when he found out the man was seeing Cady. But, Cooper proved himself a worthy match for Cady and became someone that he did trust. There had never been a reason to question him or his instincts. Still, a man could sometimes be blindsided if his vision became too narrow.
"You think that's the wrong track."
"Yes."
Walt reached up and ran a hand along his jaw. Cooper shifted on his feet.
"Cady told me that the two of you think Perry might have actually been involved in something bigger. That he might not be an innocent victim in all of this."
"News travels fast."
Cooper smiled slightly.
"Spousal privilege I suppose."
That was fair enough. He didn't expect Cady to keep things from Cooper. Vic was his own sounding board. Cooper was right about that. In Walt's mind, that was of the benefits of marriage. A partner with whom you could share everything. Someone to trust above all others.
Cooper was quiet momentarily with something clearly on his mind.
"Zeke mentioned something else."
Walt waited.
"He told me he ran into the two of you at the crime scene."
There was a disapproving note to Cooper's voice.
"I don't believe it's actually a crime scene anymore."
Cooper didn't buy into technicalities.
"The two of you could've gotten into trouble if the wrong person caught you. Vic could go back to jail."
"It was Vic's idea."
"That doesn't surprise me. And, you went along with it."
Walt huffed over a breath.
"When she sets her mind to something, there's not a force on earth that can stop her. Me included. It was either let her go alone or make sure she stayed out of trouble."
Cooper looked away. There was some concession.
"I guess that's the price we pay for marrying strong women."
"Yep."
"It still could've gotten both of you in trouble. Maybe it's not my place. But…you have children, Walt."
He knew what Cooper was saying.
"I know that. I'm trying to keep them from losing their mother."
"Just make sure they don't lose their father in the process."
Walt didn't reply. He could've easily turned the tables and asked Cooper what he would do if it was Cady and not Vic. He knew the answer. They were men cut from the same cloth, alike in more ways than they were different.
"Did you come here just to tell me that?"
Cooper shook his head.
"No. Actually…"
He dug into his pocket for a folded sheet of paper.
"…I came here about this."
He held the paper, but didn't offer it to Walt.
"I've been doing an investigation of my own. I know Cady didn't come up with anything when she was trying to find out of if someone made a copy of your key in town. That didn't surprise me since we know we're not dealing with an idiot. But…you gotta get keys made somewhere. So, I thought I would check around my county and see if anything came up."
Walt's interest was clear.
"Did it?"
Cooper nodded.
"Yeah. It was a task, too."
"In Cumberland?"
It would make sense he supposed. Cumberland was a more populated county. There would be more options.
"No."
That answer surprised him.
"No?"
"I did check around Cumberland, but didn't find anything. However…"
He paused and held up the paper.
"…I do know a lot of people around here. So…I put out some requests. Most of them told me I was crazy. But…I got a buddy in Sheridan who did some digging of his own."
"Sheridan?"
"Yep. He asked around and came up with something."
Cooper unfolded the paper and offered it to Walt. Walt looked at the name that was scrawled across it in what he assumed was Cooper's hurried handwriting.
"Taylor's Hardware."
"Little out of the way place. The owner runs it. He remembers a man coming in about a month ago and having a key made that looked odd. It was smaller than a normal key. Little silver key. Sound familiar?"
"Sounds like a lockbox key."
"Exactly."
Walt shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"You realize this is a longshot."
Cooper nodded slowly.
"Could be. But…I've learned something during all of this."
"What's that?"
"The two most commonly copied keys are house and cars. No surprise there. Not very many people get keys like this copied. Most of them come with two keys and that's enough for most people. Of all the people I've talked to, hardly any reported any keys like this at all. I know that it might be nothing. But, we don't have anything else to go on. Sheridan is close enough to be convenient and big enough that someone might operate under the assumption that no one will notice them."
"Vic works in Sheridan."
"Yes, she does."
Walt felt his hand clench at his side.
"You think someone's been following her?"
"I don't think we can rule anything out."
Walt pushed out a breath.
"Damn."
Cooper gave him a somber look.
"I'm sorry about all this, Walt."
"Sorry about what?"
Both men turned to see Vic standing in the barn door watching them.
xxx
Vic drummed her fingers on the kitchen table restlessly.
They'd spent the last half hour sitting at the table while Cooper had given her the same information that he told Walt. None of it was overly encouraging.
"Did you get a description of the man who had the key made?"
Cooper sat opposite her.
"Just a general one. Guy remembers making the key, but not so much who came in. Said he was a big, white guy."
"Wilkins fits that description. But, so does a chunk of Wyoming."
"Yeah. Have you noticed anyone following you?"
"No. But, I haven't been looking either. I didn't know someone was plotting to set me up for murder."
Her tone was dryly sarcastic. She hadn't expected to find Cooper at the cabin. What did she really expect these days.
"How often do you go in to work?"
Vic shrugged.
"Depends on the week and what Zeke is working on. Maybe twice a week. More if I'm needed, less if I'm not."
"You don't have a schedule?"
"No, that was the point of taking the job in the first place. Flexibility. Half the time, Zeke doesn't even know unless I tell him. He's the same way. He's in and out. There aren't any real office hours."
She could see Cooper mulling it over.
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking about taking this to Whitlock."
Vic rolled her eyes.
"Good luck with that. He doesn't seem open to the idea that someone else did this. Also, don't endanger your job over this."
He gave her a look.
"I haven't done anything illegal. I'm making inquiries in my own county."
"Unofficial."
The comment came from Walt, who was an expert on that very topic.
Cooper didn't seem worried about it.
"He only thinks he had power over everyone. He doesn't. He's also not the only person who has connections. I worked for HP don't forget. I've worked with my fair share of agencies and departments in this state. That included DCI. Whitlock doesn't scare me and he's not the one who elected me. At least we can say we tried."
He pushed up from his seat and grabbed his hat.
"I'll talk to you later. And…"
He looked between them.
"…stay out of crime scenes."
After he left, Vic looked to Walt.
"Did Zeke tattle on us?"
"He did."
She walked into the living room where both kids were playing. Julian looked up briefly before returning to his toys. Vic felt Walt come up behind her. She turned to him.
"I saw Whitlock earlier in town."
Walt tilted his head.
"Where?"
"Bookstore. We…"
She gestured toward Anna.
"…were waiting for school to let out and he came in."
"Sounds like he's tracking you."
"He said he was looking for a book for his son."
"You believe him?"
She shrugged.
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
A frown settled over Walt.
"I don't like this. Maybe you should…"
She brought her hand up.
"Do not tell me to stop going to town."
"I wasn't going tell you that. I was gonna suggest it."
She shook her head.
"Walt, I'm not gonna hole up here and hide from the world. That's not much different than being locked up in jail."
Something flashed in his eyes.
"Except that you're safe here."
"For how long?"
Her voice cracked slightly and she stopped. Julian was watching them again with his serious blue eyes. She cleared her throat and looked up into his face.
"Don't ask me to give up any more of my freedom. I won't do it."
The statement was definitive and left no room for argument. She looked over to find Julian still eying them, likely picking up on the tension. She offered him a smile and started his way. Walt didn't follow her.
Vic lowered herself down to the floor so that she was facing Julian.
"What're you doing?"
"Playing."
She reached out and ruffled his hair.
"I can see that. Did you have a good day at school?"
He shrugged.
"It was okay."
Vic laughed.
"Just okay?"
He nodded.
With everything that was going on, it was these moments she missed and the ones that she held onto. She heard the floor creak under Walt's feet as he came over to them. Julian looked up at him.
"Daddy, can we ride?"
Vic knew what he meant. So would Walt. The boy loved horses. Unfortunately, with their lives being flipped around lately, it was hard to find time. Vic answered before Walt.
"I think that's great idea."
She pushed up from her seat and Julian was on his feet instantly with a hopeful expression.
"Really."
Vic turned to Walt.
"Yes. Don't you think?"
Walt looked into her face momentarily before he nodded.
"Yeah. Sure."
He gave her an odd look, but pushed it aside as Julian scrambled for his boots. Vic lifted Anna from the floor and offered her to Walt.
"Can you put on her shoes and coat?"
"Okay."
He seemed confused by the sudden shift in her. Vic ignored it. For now.
"Let's all go out. It'll be good for us."
He accepted that, but she knew there would be questions later on.
Within a few minutes, they were all outside and headed for the barn. Walt gave her a look.
"You riding?"
Vic nodded.
"Sure. Why not?"
He was carrying Anna and set her lightly on the ground. Tapping Julian on the back, he leaned in.
"Why don't you go on ahead. Take your sister."
Julian did as Walt asked, taking Anna's hand and setting off at a quicker pace. Once there was some distance between them, he stopped walking.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"You sure. You were…and now you're…"
Vic inhaled a breath.
"I'm tired missing out on moments like this one, Walt. I'm tired of everything always being depressing around here. They…"
She gestured at both kids.
"…deserve better. We deserve better."
His expression eased up, although some of the concern remained. She took his arm and started for the barn.
"Come on."
Vic gave his arm a pull and they started forward.
xxx
Vic was onto something.
That was what he decided when it was all said and done. The atmosphere in the cabin had been heavy lately. Understandably so. They tried to keep life as normal as possible, but it was hard. It could be impossible at times.
They all needed a break. He wound up with Anna on Horse and Vic sat behind Julian on Blaze. They didn't go far. It got dark too early for a long ride. Still, it was nice to be out in the fresh air and simply enjoy being together.
They plodded out from the cabin and around in a big arc, keeping the two horses side by side. Blaze was a much better fit for Vic's riding ability than Horse and he noted how much more confidence she had handling the more sedate horse. Eli sat with his back slumped slightly into her stomach with his hands on the saddle horn. They looked comfortable and it created a warm feeling in Walt's chest. He stole glances at her as they rode. Her shoulders weren't tight and her manner seemed relaxed.
He wished it would last beyond the moment. He would take what he could get.
The ride was quiet except for Julian pointing out things he saw and Anna talking to herself in front of Walt. It was exactly the kind of moment they would share under normal circumstances. He wondered what exactly constituted normal circumstances anymore. That didn't seem to apply to them. Maybe it never had.
They created their own version of it.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
He looked over to see Vic's eyes on him with a curious expression.
"You can have them for free."
She smiled at his response.
"How noble of you."
"I was just thinking…"
He paused. Julian was distracted, staring off into the distance. Walt briefly wondered what he saw.
"…this is nice."
"Nice, huh?"
Was that even the right word. He wasn't sure. Words weren't his greatest asset.
"Yep."
She smiled again and he returned a smile of his own. After that, they lapsed back into a comfortable silence.
He was glad that Julian brought this up. He was also glad that Vic picked up the suggestion and ran with it. It was a good idea.
He would tell her later on that she was right.
That would brighten her mood for sure.
It was cold out. There was no doubt about that. Each day brought them one day closer to winter. The days were getting continuously shorter and darkness came earlier each night. Winter gave him mixed feelings. Truthfully, he appreciated all of the seasons for what they offered. After all this time, there was still something special about walking outside on a cold morning and seeing a perfectly white blanket of fresh snow. The season did feel longer the older he got, though.
Vic didn't share his feelings and would curse the seemingly never ending winter once it really settled in. It would make spring all the more welcome when it finally arrived.
When they returned to the barn and dismounted, Eli was there even though it was well past time that he should have left and gone home. The young man approached them as they led the horses towards the barn.
"What are you still doing here?"
Eli shrugged at the question.
"Working."
"You should go on home."
Eli dismissed Walt's comment.
"My grandma is having dinner with my cousins. She won't miss me. Want me to unsaddle them for you."
He motioned at the horses. Walt's first instinct was to say no. The kid worked hard enough, more lately with Walt being pulled in different directions.
"You work too much."
Vic inserted herself, leaning slightly into Walt. Eli gave her a sheepish smile.
"I don't mind."
Vic returned the smile. It was a real one and Walt realized how much he missed this version of her. She tried. He knew she did. But, there was just so much weight on her right now. On all of them, but mostly Vic. Eli dropped his eyes slightly. Being smiled at by Vic tended to have that effect on all males regardless of age.
"Why don't you stay for dinner."
Eli kicked at the dirt.
"I don't want to impose."
Vic rolled her eyes.
"It's not an imposition, Eli. It's an invitation. Stay. I'm sure Walt…"
She tugged at his arm.
"…can come up with something edible."
Eli smiled again before his eyes shifted to Walt.
"Sure. Stay. If you don't mind waiting around."
Vic gave him a push.
"Why don't you go in and figure out dinner. And…I'll help Eli with the horses."
She picked up Anna and passed her to Walt.
"Take this one with you. Getting a little cold for her out here. This one…"
She placed her hand on Julian's head.
"…can stay and help us."
"You sure?"
Vic cocked her head at him.
"You want me to cook? That's dangerous. Go."
He agreed and shifted Anna into a more comfortable position.
"Okay. Sounds like a plan."
xxx
She thought for a minute that Walt might not be agreeable. Thankfully, he smiled at her and started for the cabin with Anna. She felt good. She couldn't quite explain it, but she felt better than she had since all of this started. She wanted to hold onto the feeling just a little longer. Tomorrow would usher in reality quick enough.
"You know…"
Eli started.
"…I can handle this if you want to go in."
Vic waved him off.
"It'll go faster with both of us and this isn't actually your job."
"I don't mind."
Vic offered him Horse's lead.
"Here. I'll handle this one."
She gave Blaze a pat. Eli nodded and secured Horse to the fence. Vic did the same and they started unsaddling the horses.
"How're you doing?"
His tone was conversational. Vic kept her eyes on her work. Off to one side, Julian ran around.
"I am…trying."
"Guess that's all you can do."
She gave him a quick look.
"Yeah, it is."
"You seem better."
"Huh?"
The comment confused her.
"Than you were the other day."
The memory came back to her.
"Oh…yeah. Sorry about that."
He shrugged off her apology.
"You don't owe anyone an apology. You're human. We all are."
Vic turned Blaze loose in the pasture to get some exercise before he went into the barn for the night. Eli did the same with Horse, giving the animal a pat on the rump as he did so. Vic leaned on the fence and watched them. Eli joined her.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're pretty smart for your age."
"Not really. I do get mature a lot, though."
"Same thing. Well…maybe not exactly the same. Close enough."
Eli kept his eyes on the horses.
"I was raised by a strong woman. I don't know where I would be without her. Probably on drugs or in jail. So…I know strength when I see it. You've got it."
She looked at him.
"Thank you, Eli."
He dipped his chin, but didn't look her way. There was a shyness creeping in on him. Vic pushed off the fence.
"We should go in. Give them some outside time while we eat. Julian."
He ran to hear, nearly colliding with her legs.
"I'm hungry."
She vibrated with a laugh as they took the steps up to the cabin door.
"Me too."
Inside, they shed their jackets and boots. It was pleasantly warm with a fire going in the fireplace. They found Walt in the kitchen working over a pot. Vic placed her hands on his back and peered over his shoulder.
"What're you making?"
"I had the stuff for chili."
"Smells good."
"Be ready in a few minutes. How are the horses?"
"Enjoying their freedom."
The comment earned her a sideways glance from him.
Vic helped both Julian and Anna wash their hands and get them seated, Anna in her high chair and Julian in his normal seat. Walt talked with Eli until the chili was ready and he ladled it into bowls for them.
Dinner was comfortable. That was the best way she knew to describe it. Her only complaint was that it couldn't last long enough.
Dirty dishes were piled into the sink and Walt again told Eli that he had worked enough. Eli tossed them a smile, collected his baseball cap, and left.
"He's a good kid."
Vic made the comment as she surveyed the sink full of dishes that needed washing. Walt came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips.
"Yes, he is. So…"
"We should wash these."
She indicated the dishes.
"Yeah."
Walt didn't sound committed to the idea. He turned her so that she was facing him.
"Do you know what I think we should do?"
She gave him a knowing look.
"I'm sure I could come up with something. But…there are still little people who need baths. So…"
Her words trailed off. Walt sighed.
"Right."
He released his hold on her just as her phone buzzed to life in her back pocket. Vic's expression turned to one of sheer dismay as she pulled it free, a frown settling over her features
"That's weird."
"What?"
She looked up from the phone.
"It's the security company who handles the alarms at the office."
"Zeke's?"
"Yeah. And…they are not supposed to call me. They call him. Unless…"
She stopped and swiped her thumb over the screen so that she could take the call.