The Barn

By Linda Turrey

Anna sees her past every time she looks in the mirror.  She never expected to feel safe and content again.  When she meets Chance Boxer on a photography assignment, she comes to realize that happiness really is possible.And then, Chance was gone. Gone without a clue, as if he'd simply disappeared into the stormy night.  It seemed that no one but her sister, Darcy could be trusted.  Not Chances's best friend, not even the police.Anna and Darcy once again found themselves relying on each other to find answers.  But, what secret is the barn holding close?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Turrey
• Release date: Mar 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781798761700

Book preview

Chapter One

AS MORNING ROSE FROM behind the mountains, light dappled the bedroom wall with playful shadows.

It's a duck, wearing a top hat.

What?  You're not serious!

Sheets billowed, as squeals of laughter got muffled in a hug.

One more, then I'll let you go.  Anna bargained.

Chance snapped the sheets, shook out his hands, and narrowed his eyes. Last one.  His hands came together, fingers working.

Anna nodded, focusing on the wall at the foot of the bed.

A pug with a purse?  Anna asked, giggling.

I have to get ready for work. 

Feigning sadness, Chance pulled a faded blue t-shirt over his head on his way to the bathroom.

Ah, baby, I thought it was perfect!  Anna called after him. Who doesn't love a Pug with a purse?  She slipped her feet into slippers and pulled on a white, deep pocket robe.  She tapped on the shower door on her way to the kitchen.  Coffee coming up.

As Anna pulled the kitchen curtains wide and turned on the coffee pot, she saw the mottle of dark gray clouds over the trees.  A fine mist hovered over the ground adding to the beautiful,  surreal view outside.

A cloud of steam followed Chance as he left the bathroom. The smell of fresh brewed coffee, eggs, and toast wafted throughout the house.  Anna was facing the stove when he entered the kitchen.  One hand turned eggs in a skillet as she turned the knob on the radio with her other hand.  His Mom had stood in front of the same stove, cooking breakfast in the same cast iron skillet.

Not sure I have time for breakfast with all the shadow puppet play and all.  Chance smiled at his wife of four months.  I want to bring in some wood, so you're set for the day.

A bedraggled braid the color of late summer wheat flung over Anna's shoulder as she turned.  I'll get the wood when I get home from town.  You need to eat breakfast.

Chance wrapped his arms around Anna in a bear hug that lifted her to tiptoes.

He looked tired.  Though his face was bright from the shower and shave, his baby blues were a smoky gray under heavy lids.

I don't like it when you have to work Sundays.  Anna held his face in her hands, pulling him in for a kiss.

Believe me, Id much rather be home with you.  The back of his hand ran down her soft cheek.

A rooster crowed, welcoming the sunrise as Chance took a bite from the warm breakfast sandwich.  He collected his keys and cell phone, and then snugged a worn baseball cap over wavy, chestnut brown hair.  Anna followed him to the mudroom carrying his lunch, as she did every morning.  She set the old metal lunch box by the back door, and then leaned against the washer, watching as Chance sat on the bench to pull on steel toe boots.

They both glanced over to the door's window at the sound of the work truck coming up the gravel drive.  The cruddy's here. 

Chance looked away, concealing his grin at his wife's cute attempt to fit into her new life.  It's called a 'crummy'.  He nodded toward a small stack of firewood.  With what's by the wood stove, that should be plenty until I get home.  The storm isn't due in until later tonight, but if it comes sooner just remember to slide the barn door shut.  We don't need Sally getting nervous and breaking down the paddock boards again.

I'll remember.  Anna wrapped her robe closer against the cold morning air. 

The blue, dented pickup that was to deliver the crew of five up to the logging site on High Heaven's east side let out a honk from the driveway.  Opening the door, Anna saw River wave from behind the wheel.  She returned the wave, seeing the familiar goofy grin.  That grin always managed to make her smile.

Despite the morning fog and misting skies, Anna could tell there were three men sitting in the back section of the double cab.  One she recognized as Drake Lewis, but she couldn't quite distinguish the other two men.  The one nearest the window lifted a cigarette to his mouth.  The tip glowed orange as he took a draw.  Anna backed into the mudroom as an uneasiness turned her stomach queasy.  He lowered the cigarette slowly, his face coming close to the window.  All Anna could make out was a mass of dark facial hair behind the steamed glass

Who's riding up today?  Anna pulled a turned edge of Chances collar free.

Most likely River, and Drake.  Maybe Wade. 

Anna couldn't take her eyes from the back passenger window as she felt Chance's kiss on her cheek.  She turned to him, not sure why she was feeling so uneasy.  Be safe.  I love you Chance.

Her husband climbed in beside River, and gave her a quick wave.  Once the old blue Ford had turned around, it drove to the edge of the property and made a right onto the road toward High Heaven.

With the doors double locked, Anna picked up the grocery list from off the counter, and settled into a chair.  Coffee. Honey.  Pine nuts.  Her eyes slid from the notepad to the markings on the tabletop.  Fingers ran along the grooves and notches in the black walnut that had worn to a glossy finish over the years.

The furnishings in the farmhouse were so ingrained here that they would only be gone when the house was.  Anna smiled at the stories that went with each marking.  The way Chance would wander back to the time when he'd added his initials next to the ones that his dad had made.

Her smile turned rueful when she tried to pull up happy stories from her own childhood.  Her mom did her best to make happy childhood memories for Anna, but the hard times often crowded out the sweet moments.  Sometimes memories are best left in the past.  Too many moves to new towns, which meant a new trailer park, and another new school.  Adelaine Elliot had spent her life chasing a dream that never would come true for her. 

Dishes washed and put away.  Bed made. Bathroom tidied.

Anna washed her face, and then picked up the boar's hair brush.

The attack three years earlier had left the entire right side of Anna's face and neck ravaged.  Long, deep scars jumbled over each other.  They ran from her forehead, along her cheek and trailed down her neck to disappear under her neckline.  She carefully pulled blond tendrils forward to conceal as much of the scarring as possible.

Angling to look in the mirror at the left side of her face, Anna let the memory of her husband running his hand over her smooth cheek bolster her mood.  She never felt like she needed to shield the ugly side from him.  She would deal with the gossips in Grayson.  She'd dealt with worse.

Hold that pretty head high Anna . . . No, higher.  Darcy would tell her.  If anyone truly knew, they'd be as proud of you as I am.

Anna closed the bathroom door, and turned a circle in the hallway.  She'd run out of reasons to procrastinate.

Shopping in Grayson wasn't something Anna looked forward to.  In Seattle it was easy to fade into the crowd with the throngs of people shopping, commuting, and being absorbed in their own world.  Here the pace was much, much slower. There was no blending into the crowd. The townsfolk seemed intent to stop and talk low behind cupped hands when she passed.

With the Jeep keys in hand and purse on her shoulder, Anna stopped in the mudroom to pull on her boots and fill the stray cat's bowl with Kitty Kitbits.  As she started for the back door, she saw Chance's lunch still sitting on the cement floor. 

Darn!  How did we miss that?

With the metal lunch box set in the refrigerator and the cat dish filled, Anna climbed into her silver  Jeep and headed out to town.

The corridor to Grayson was a curving downward slope crowded on the sides with evergreens and old growth.  It was a relaxing ride with large, overhanging tree foliage shielding her eyes from the glaring sun.

Bob Seger's Night Moves faded to silence as she approached the city limits.  Anna ejected the CD before the next song started.  Sunday was the best day to shop as the traffic was sparse and the sidewalks nearly empty.  Anna thought she just might linger a while at the coffee shop today.

With the only traffic control in town blinking ahead, the front end of a patrol car peeked out from behind the Winston's Feed Store.  Anna glanced down at her speedometer, then continued down the main street.

When lights flashed red and blue in the rear view mirror, a flutter of anxious butterflies assaulted Anna's stomach.  She eased over to the curb, reaching for her purse to retrieve her license and insurance card.  What did I do?  She mumbled, glancing over her shoulder to see a deputy walking up to the window.

Good morning, Officer. 

Anna looked up at the man who was rocking back and forth on his feet  He looked impatient, and apparently did not plan on returning her greeting.

She offered him her cards, and they were quickly taken by stout fingers feathered with fine red hair.

I'll be right back.

Anna sat staring ahead, wondering why she'd been pulled over.  In her peripheral vision she noticed the Bushing brothers watching from their porch across the street.  Their chair rocked in unison. White, wispy heads nodded to each other, yet their lips never seemed to move.  Tansy Phelps emerged from Toffee Coffee, saw the excitement on the street, and whirled around to disappear back into the shop.  Anna blew out a frustrated breath.

Clouds had moved in overhead, adding a drab atmosphere to a morning that had started off well.  What was taking the cop so long?  And now, Tansy and a woman with mint green hair rollers peeking out from under a pink fleece turban, were standing at the window, boldly watching.

Anna was trying to remember the last time she'd seen someone sporting mint green, prickly rollers, when the officer came back to her window.  He passed the identification cards back to her.

You can be on your way, Ms. Boxer.  His voice was baritone deep, but sounded as though he was forcing the timbre to sound tougher than it might naturally be.  We just ask that you come in to town a bit slower next time.

Anna looked straight into pink rimmed eyes, and held back the fact that she was going a bit below the posted speed limit.  Let it go, she thought.

I will certainly do that Officer . . . Brandon.  A shiny, polished badge pinned to his tan uniform provided his name.  Smile Anna.  Just smile and keep quiet.  Anna took her time putting the cards back into her wallet.  She watched in the side mirror as Officer Brandon managed to roll and tuck his frame back into the patrol car, tooting the horn with his girth.  He pulled out from behind her vehicle and proceeded up the street at a slow crawl.

Staying parked where she was, Anna made a decision to face the gawkers straight up this time.  She'd get her cup of java now.

The women backed away from the pane glass window when they saw Anna approaching.  When the door pushed inward, the two were busy chatting at the counter.  The girl behind the counter rolled her eyes in their direction, and then smiled at Anna.  Morning!  What can I get you? 

Hmm.  Anna studied the chalkboard with neon, swirly words describing the various Toffee Coffee specials of the day.  I'll have the Grande Caramel Toffee Topper.

It's way yummy. Came a sing song voice.

Go ahead and make me two of those, Lilly  Anna added.

The young woman, fresh out of community college in Alton, was truly the breath of fresh air in this tight knit community.  Her demeanor was consistently upbeat and upfront.  When Anna first visited the tiny coffee shop with its attempt at French decor, Lilly had been behind the counter.  Anna introduced herself, and Lilly straight up asked her how she got the scars.  Anna had actually smiled.  'An unfortunate incident' was Anna's stock answer.  Lilly was a refreshing change from the glances, whispers, and ill attempts at politeness.  Ruth, from the Bag and Buy was the only other person in Grayson that gave Anna hope that one day she would fit in here.

As Lilly went to work on Anna's order, Anna turned and leaned on the counter in an open invitation to chat.  A bit brisk this morning.  She stated toward Tansy and her friend.

Tansy and curler lady both snapped their heads in her direction. Their eyes wide at the comment directed at them.  Tansy's eyes kept jumping from the scars on Anna's face, and back to her waiting gaze.  Curler lady looked down to study a dust mite that was sitting on her silver sequined tennis shoe.

Sure is,  Tansy finally replied. She turned to watch her friend shuffle the fuzz around on the floor.

Here ya be.  Lilly slid the cardboard coffee carrier across the counter.  I put extra whipped cream on top.  She wore a proud barista smile.

Anna tucked a couple bills into the tip jar.  Thank you, Lilly.  They look wonderful.

Hey, if you see River, tell him to stop in for a cup of coffee on me.  Lilly's creamy cheeks blushed under perfectly laid foundation.

I'll be sure to do that,  Anna agreed.  This lovely young woman had an attraction to Chance's best buddy.  She put her purse strap over her shoulder and picked up the cup carrier.

While walking the four blocks to the market, thick rain droplets began to bounce on the sidewalk.  Yellow and red leaves skittered across the road.

As soon as the Bag and Buy's front door was swung in, a string of goat bells tinkled overhead.  Warmth, and market smells wrapped around Anna as she entered.

I could've figured you'd show up last minute for provisions.  Ruth slapped the counter, rounding it to load two  paper bags full of groceries into a wire cart for Thelma Johns.  A frothy paisley blouse billowed over plum purple tights.  Cut outs over the shoulders revealed flesh tone bra straps. 

Anna pushed the store's door outward to let Thelma out onto the sidewalk.  You got it okay?  She asked the bent woman.  The reply was a curt nod and a porcelain hand waving her off.  Anna smiled back to Ruth.