Deserts, Driving, and Derelicts Read online

  “You need help with Ty’s camper?” Dottie asked as a plume of smoke rolled out of her mouth. She was sitting outside under her awning. Her twinkle lights were already on and she was ready for supper time and enjoying her cigarette.

  I’d told her a million times she needed to quit. She said it’s her one pleasure in life and who was I to take that away. It was only out of love for her that I wanted her to be healthy.

  “I think I got it.” I held up the cleaning supplies as I realized I wanted to do it myself for some weird reason. She muttered something under her breath that I was sure I didn’t want to hear because she was always rambling on how I needed to find a man when she’d obviously forgotten what the one I’d had had done over the past five years of my life.

  Ty’s camper was a pull behind. It was yellow with a red stripe. He paid a lot fee to keep it there. A few weeks after he’d gone back home, I’d gotten a wire transfer for a full year of lot fees. I never anticipated him coming back, but figured his dad and brothers would use it to camp on the weekends. When they were here, it was nice to have the company. For some reason, I had hit it off with his family. I felt bad that Ty’s mom had died and left Ron with two little boys. They’d had Ty’s younger brothers later in life. One was in high school and the other in grade school.

  My phone chirped a text. It was from Betts Hager. She said the she was happy to report that Tammy Jo was pleased with the cleaning and with how much Fifi liked me. She said to hold on to the check and she’d get it tomorrow.

  I texted her back that I didn’t get a check and would go back in the morning to get it on my way to the airport to pick up Ty.

  As I was unlocking Ty’s door, she text back: TY!!!!! followed by a heart emoji.

  I ignored her and the rest of the gals from the Laundry Club who texted me right after her. I wasn’t sure why they were acting like there was something between me and Ty. In fact, when I first met him, he owed the campground three months of lot fees. It wasn’t a pleasant exchange and we certainly weren’t an item. He didn’t even say goodbye when he left.

  I opened the door of Ty’s camper and his masculine smell nearly knocked me dizzy. My stomach tickled, and I found myself really excited for his arrival. I gulped back my feelings and got to work. Maybe the Laundry Club gals did see something I was trying desperately to hide.

  The inside of his camper was just one room. There was a bed loft on the right that was overtop the hookup for something to pull it. There was a small built-in couch with an efficiency kitchen across from it. There was a bathroom along the back and that was pretty much it besides a little storage. Perfect for a single man like Ty.

  I found clean sheets and towels in the storage under the couch. After making the bed and doing a light dusting, there wasn’t much left to do. Out of curiosity, I started to look through the drawers. There wasn’t much in there. Bottle openers, tools, lighters, and some extension cords. There was a red and white striped chair folded up in the corner and I vividly remember him sitting in it at night during the spring breeze last time he was here. Not that I was always looking towards his camper. Not always. Just sometimes.

  The last drawer I opened had a yearbook in it. I sat on the couch and flipped through the book. I giggled out loud when I saw Ty and his short hair. I couldn’t even think of him without all that shaggy hair he had now. I read through a few of the notes and signatures. There was one that caught my eye. It had a bright red lip stamp next to it.

  “Nicki,” I said her name and ran my finger across her lips. “We will always be Ty’d together. Aren’t you clever,” I noted and continued to read the rest of her note, “I can’t wait to see where our future leads us in college. I love you.” I about gagged when I noticed the three exclamation marks after the I love you. I even rolled my eyes a couple of times.

  I flipped back to the senior photos and dragged my finger along the names on every page until I came to the only Nicki in the senior class.

  “Nicki Swaggert?” I asked in a hushed whisper, wondering if she was related to Dottie? Had to be.

  I started comparing myself to this young girl who probably didn’t even look like this now. I mean, I didn’t look like I did when I was a senior in high school. Still, she had a long thin neck and long blonde hair parted to the side. Her smile melted into her blue eyes. Ty had blue eyes.

  After staring at her for a few minutes and burning her face into my memory, I flipped through the clubs and the candid shots. I had to stop counting how many times I’d seen Nicki smiling next to everyone. Then. . .the Senior Superlatives.

  Best Looking Couple went to Nicki Swaggert and Hank Sharp.

  “Hank Sharp?” I gasped. “This is how Ty and Hank know each other.”

  I wondered if this Nicki was the source of the tension between them. When I heard some rumblings outside of the camper, I looked up and it was beginning to be dusk. I’d let time fly by while I looked at the yearbook and made up things in my head.

  I threw the book back in the drawer and took one last look around as I gathered up the supplies.

  “There you are.” Bobby Ray was walking around the corner of the camper when I locked Ty’s door behind me. “Who lives there?” He asked.

  “A camper who doesn’t live here but rents fulltime. He’s coming in tomorrow and needed his camper cleaned.” There was no sense in telling him about Ty. I was banking on Bobby Ray not being here long and he didn’t need to know any more about me. “Did you need something?”

  “Yeah. Did you know that I’ve got to cook something for this campground dinner?” He asked a little frantic.

  “Yes. But don’t worry. I have some hot dogs you can contribute for us.” I motioned for him to get in the golf cart.

  I’d forgotten to explain that every night the campers are encouraged to participate in a progressive supper. Every camper cooks a different food at their campfire. They can take their plate around and sample everyone’s dish. Some people do desserts while others do meats and the sides. It’s been a big hit and it’s a fun way to get to know each other.

  “How was the rest of your day?” I asked, making small talk.

  “You’ve got a good thing goin’ on here.” Bobby nodded. “I really like that Henry. I hope you don’t mind me just showing up.”

  “Not at all.” I sucked in a deep breath, nearly choking on the late day heat in hopes it didn’t show that I didn’t want him to stay too long.

  “I gave Joel Grassel a call. We are going to have a meetin’ in a couple of days. Do you think you could take me?” he asked.

  “I’d love to. Just be sure to let me know when.” I parked the golf cart in front of my camper and we headed inside. I opened the refrigerator to get the hot dogs.

  “Are those crescent rolls?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I took out the can. “You want them?”

  “Yes! I make the best campfire pigs in a blanket. That’s perfect.” He took the two cans I had and the two packs of hot dogs. “You coming?” He stopped shy of the door.

  “I’m going to clean up a little. I cleaned a house and a camper today. I smell bad.” I lifted up my arm and pretend to smell my armpit. “I’ll see you in a few.”

  A few had apparently meant the next day, because after I took a long hot shower, I laid down on the bed for a quick little rest and didn’t wake up until the sun was peeking through the open blinds the next morning.

  SEVEN

  “Oh, no! No! No!” I jumped up when I realized that I’d fallen asleep before I’d set the alarm on my phone to go get Ty. According to the bright sun filtering into the camper, it was the next morning,

  The Bluegrass Airport was two hours away, which meant I should’ve left about thirty minutes ago to make it there on time and I’d yet to trade Betts back for my car. It looked like I was going to have to drive the minivan to pick up Ty.

  I took a quick shower and had to forget doing my hair and makeup. It wasn’t how I pictured myself when Ty would see me for the first time on thi
s visit. A little lip gloss and some wet hair that’d turn to frizz in this heat was going to have to do.

  Dottie waved her hand with a big cig stuck in between her fingers when I passed by her camper. I wanted so bad to stop and ask about Nicki, but there was no time for gossip.

  Ty was standing by the curb outside the sliding doors at the arrival gate when I pulled up. I honked and waved only to be greeted by what I’d call big shock and awe on his face. Those blue eyes popped against his tanned face. The shaggy blond hair curled and framed his face. It was a little longer than he’d worn it in the spring, but still looked tidy and handsome.

  I threw the van into park and jumped out.

  “Welcome home.” I clasped my hands in front of me to keep them from finding a mind of their own and flinging them around his neck. But my mind had another plan. As if in slow motion, I watched as my arms floated up in the air with each step my feet were taking closer to him, wrapping them around his neck.

  “Mae, I’m a little shocked to see you here to pick me up.” He used both hands to pat my back. I might’ve nuzzled him a little when I audibly inhaled to take in that smell. The same smell that permeated the inside of his camper. He took a step back.

  “I’m sorry I’m late.” I tucked a stray strand of my curly mess behind my ear. “I’ve been helping Betts clean and I lost track of time this morning.” I lied. I didn’t want him to think I’d overslept and was scatterbrained. “Which reminds me, do you mind if we stop by Tammy Jo Bentley’s to pick up a check on our way into Normal?”

  “Not at all.” He grabbed the big suitcase next to his feet. “I’m glad you brought Betts’s van because all of these are mine.” He turned and looked at the trunk and more luggage behind him.

  “Wow. I didn’t realize your dad was that bad.” I’d felt bad for not making a call to check on Ron this morning on my way here. He must’ve gotten worse if Ty’d brought all this home for a visit.

  “He’s not. They moved him to the rehab center this morning. He’s only going to be there a couple of days so they can keep an eye on the burn and skin graft, to make sure it doesn’t get infected.” He picked up the pieces and put them in the back of the van, pushing the cleaning supplies closer to the front. “They are starting him on physical therapy to move his fingers and wrists, but they are things he can do at home once he learns them.”

  “That’s great news.” I tried not to seem so eager, but I felt like a school girl. Kinda like Nicki. Inwardly, I groaned. Nicki. Ugh. “Are you staying a while or just bringing some things back?”

  “Actually, I’m moving back.” He didn’t seem to be as upbeat as my heart.

  “Really?” My voice was a little shaky. “Why? I thought you loved living there.”

  We got into the van. There was a slew of emotions rumbling up inside of me. Ones that I didn’t recognize and they almost scared me. Yes. He was super attractive and if you asked any woman in Normal, they’d agree. But there was something about him actually living in Normal that kinda had me worried. I think in the back of my head I knew I could look at him and fantasize since I knew he was always going back to San Francisco. This time he wasn’t going back.

  “I do, but after I was here last spring helping dad raise the boys, I realized I’d missed out a lot on them growing up. They need as many adults in their lives as they can get and I felt like I was ripping the family apart all over again. Sean is almost an adult, but Timmy needs me.” He put his elbow on the windowsill, covering his mouth with his hand and staring out the window. “Enough about that. I’m here and staying. Just like you, Mae West.”

  “I wondered if you were going to bring that up.” I gripped the wheel and steered the van onto the interstate that put us on the curvy road back to Daniel Boone National Park. “I was going to explain what you’d overheard between me and Stanley the last time you were here, but when I went to your camper the next day, you were gone.”

  “I didn’t want to be there when you broke the news to all those people who really believed in you.” He looked over at me. “I asked my dad about you to see if he’d tell me you left. But he said that the Happy Trails was thriving and you were doing a bang-up job with the place. Even boosting the economy.” He reached into the backpack he’d thrown on the floor board when he got in, “I got my copy of National Parks Magazine and about died when I saw your article.”

  “Oh, gosh. I really underestimated how many people were going to see that.” Immediately I thought of Bobby Ray.

  “It goes out to all the national parks. It’s a big deal.” His words were kind and I could feel the tension thawing between us. “I guess I jumped the gun and didn’t let you explain. I’m sorry for that…” His voice trailed off.

  “No problem. I figured you’d be back one day to visit, not move.” There was a silence between us the rest of the way and I couldn’t help but think about what he was thinking. It was one of those penny for your thought moments.

  Then I imagined he’d say something about how he’d thought about that last time he’d seen me and how things might’ve turned out differently, but in reality, he was probably worried about his dad. Evidently, he wasn’t thinking anything. The sound of a light snore drifted my way.

  A couple of hours later, Ty still asleep, I pulled up to Tammy Jo’s house. I quietly clicked the van door closed because I didn’t want to wake him. The airplane ride from California to Kentucky was a long one and I was sure he didn’t sleep much on the plane with the concern of his father and brothers on his mind. Not to mention the change in his lifestyle.

  The door to the house was cracked opened.

  “Hello?” I called but only greeted the echo of my voice. “Tammy Jo? It’s Mae West. I’m here to pick up the cleaning check for Betts Hager!” I yelled a little louder.

  “Out here,” Tammy Jo finally called back. “Outside on the balcony.”

  I walked through the house and out the door from the family room I’d cleaned. She was standing on the porch with Fifi in her arms. Again, the pooch wiggled and jiggled until Tammy Jo finally let her down.

  “I didn’t open your front door when I yelled for you.” I wanted her to know that I didn’t just let myself in. “The door was cracked.”

  The little poodle scurried over to me, jumping up and down for me to pick her up. I did just in case Tammy Jo decided to give me a tip if only on the merits of her dog liking me.

  Tammy Jo dramatically swept across the balcony, the sheer pink housecoat with fuzzy fur lining floating behind her. She was holding a napkin on her arm. There were two glasses of wine and a cheese plate on the table. It must’ve been another woman there because there was lipstick on both. Clearly the bright red lipstick matched the lipstick on Tammy Jo’s mouth. But who wore the orange? That’s a bold lipstick. Something that would stick out

  “Did I interrupt you?” I gazed over at the table.

  “No. It’s just me.” She headed to the door, continuing to blot the napkin on her arm. “Fifi just had her hair clipped and her nails are so sharp. She scratched me - by accident, of course - when I picked her up.”

  “Do you want me to look at it?” I asked.

  “No. No. I’ll be fine. Follow me to Harrison’s office. That’s where I keep the checks.” She walked through the open deck doors. Some stray feathers from her housecoat floated behind her.

  “Harrison?” I didn’t know who that was.

  “My deceased husband.” She stopped in her tracks on the way down the hallway. “I guess that’s something me and you have in common.”

  She put her hand on the doorknob of the closed door.

  “I guess you checked up on me.” I pinched a fake smile, thinking only of a tip.

  “Hank told me who you were after you pushed the little cleaning cart around the house this morning.” She turned the knob. “I think it’s admirable how you’re working to pay off your husband’s mistakes or misdeeds.”

  “Ex,” I said through an exhausted sigh.

  She opened the
door and took a couple of steps in before she flipped on the light and let out a bloodcurdling scream before fainting.

  Camille Braun was sitting behind Harrison’s desk in his big leather chair with a knife stuck in her chest and her eyes open.

  EIGHT

  “Tammy!” I kneeled down figuring I’d save the one who still had a heartbeat because by the looks of things, the nanny did not. I put a hand on each of Tammy’s shoulders and shook her, trying to get her to come to.

  There was no waking up this gal. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and scrolled through the contacts until I got to Detective Hank Sharp. I sucked in a deep breath before hitting the green Call button.

  “What in the world could Mae West want with me?” was how Hank answered the phone.

  “Hank, there’s been a murder.” I resisted the urge to say something very smart-alecky and decided it was best just to blurt out what happened. “I’m at Tammy Jo Bentley’s picking up my check.”

  “Mae?” Ty Randal called out through the house. “Are you okay? I heard a scream.”

  “Back here, Ty!” I yelled back out towards the hall.

  “Ty? What? Mae?” Hank’s voice echoed out of the phone.

  “Hank, just come to Tammy Jo Bentley’s house. There’s been a murder.” I clicked off the phone and hoped he’d just come already. I took another look at Tammy Jo before I stood up, guessing she’d be okay while I got Ty.

  “Mae, what’s wrong?” Ty came down the hall.

  My chest heaved up and down. I could feel the tears starting. I curled my lips together. He hurried down the hall and stopped, looking down at me.

  “Mae? What’s wrong?” His eyes darted around my face.

  “The dog nanny.” I pointed into the room. “She’s. . .” I looked down and found the courage to look back up at him. “She’s been murdered,” my voice trailed off.

  He darted past me and into the room. When I turned to go back into the room, I could hear sirens and Ty was bent over Tammy Jo.