Patricia Potter - A Soldier's Journey

Andy suddenly felt betrayed by Dr. Payne. “You know...what happened to me?”

Eve shook her head. “I only know that pain in your eyes. I saw it in my mirror for a long time. If there’s ever anything I can do...”

“There is,” Andy said. “I need something to do. I don’t have much money, but Dr. Payne said it was possible to help in the community. I’ve always paid my own way.”

“What did you do in the army?” Eve asked.

“You don’t know?”

“No. Dr. Payne says very little about his recommendations to my husband. Josh probably says even less to me. He figures if you want anyone to know your business, you’ll tell them. He’s a sphinx where other vets are concerned.”

“I think I’ll like him.”

“You will. He would tear off his arm to help someone, particularly a vet.”

“I’ve known someone like that.” Andy bit her lip as the image of Jared popped up again.

Eve looked at her. “They are rare,” she said. “Are you interested in history?”

An odd question and quick change of subject. But she nodded.

“Do you like writing?”

“I’ve kept a journal, that’s all.”

Eve’s eyes suddenly lit. “We’re trying to grow the town, create more jobs. We think tourism is the first step. My husband and Nate are finishing rehabbing—rebuilding, really—a very nice inn, but we’re a fair distance from populated areas. We need attractions, and I think that attraction could be our history.”

“Why?”

“The town was founded by a Scot who came here in the 1840s, saw the lake and established a trading post. There were Native raids, but he saved the life of a Ute chief and they rewarded him with protection and the chief’s sister as a wife. He basically built the town and became instrumental in the campaign for statehood. Then there’s our falls, where much of this happened.”

“I’m not a writer,” Andy said. “And shouldn’t someone from the community write about the town?”

“We don’t need a book,” Eve explained. “Just a short, coherent narrative we can use in a brochure and advertising program.”

“Wouldn’t someone who lives here be more qualified...?”

Eve sighed. “There’s a few rivalries around here. And different versions of what happened and where we should go in the future. I think an outsider will be objective and produce a narrative appealing to people outside the community. I want fresh, unbiased eyes.” She paused. “We’ve been thinking about hiring someone, but why don’t you take a stab at it? We don’t need Gone with the Wind.”

“Where would I begin?” Andy asked, a kernel of interest building inside. She had always liked history, even thought about being a history teacher, but there had been no scholarships for that.

“Probably the best place is the small museum we’ve started in the community center. There’s old newspapers and photos and some mining equipment. You can start there, and then contact Al Monroe. He’s a descendant of the founder of Covenant Falls, Angus Monroe. There’s rumors that Angus kept journals. Al might have them if, indeed, they do exist.”

Eve’s proposal was the last thing Andy had expected. The more Eve talked, the more intrigued she became. It was far more interesting than the pounding nails or filing papers that she’d expected. And she’d always liked research.

Plus, it would absorb her. She needed something like that. “I’ll try it,” she finally said. “I can’t promise anything remotely coherent.”

Eve grinned. “I’ll try to tone down my expectations.”

Their lunch arrived then, and Andy took a bite. “Mmm,” she said. “I like this.”

“Good,” Eve said, and they both concentrated on the sandwiches and fries. Andy couldn’t remember when anything had tasted so good. After they finished, Eve looked at her watch. “I have a meeting in twenty minutes. I’ll drop you over at the community center where the museum is.”

“Should we drop Joseph off at the cabin first?” Andy asked.

“I think Joseph can go almost any place you want to take him in Covenant Falls. Amos, my husband’s dog, has pretty well shattered people’s opinions as to where a dog should or should not go. He’s the town celebrity.”

“Why?” Andy asked.

“He saved my son’s life twice,” she said, “but that’s a long story and takes time in the telling. Why don’t you come over for supper tomorrow night? Clint and my husband both want to meet you. It will be really relaxed. You can leave any time you want, no explanations needed. Joseph is invited, as well.”

Andy wasn’t sure she was ready for a social event yet.

“I don’t want to pressure you,” Eve said, obviously sensing her hesitation. “So say no if you’re not ready. God knows my husband and I both understand. He was the loner of all time when he first moved into the cabin.”

“And now?” Andy asked.

“He still has a tendency to run off to the woods on occasion, but he’s adapting,” she said with a grin. “Not easy in my household.”

Andy surrendered. It was impossible to say no to Eve Manning. “Okay,” she said. What was that saying? In for a penny, in for a pound.

CHAPTER FOUR

IT WAS MIDAFTERNOON when Eve drove into a parking area in back of the two-story brick building she’d pointed out earlier. A sign outside identified it as the Covenant Falls Community Center.

Andy was quickly having second thoughts. Why had she agreed to Eve’s suggestion of writing a history of the town? But she had agreed to try, and she did need a job, a goal, a diversion. She needed to start living again, even if it was so damn hard.

Andy reluctantly followed Eve up the step, through the unlocked door and into a vestibule. A gray-haired, wiry man rose from a desk in a corner. She noted a Western novel on his desk.

“This is Bill Evans,” Eve said. “He manages the center. Bill, this is Andy Stuart. She moved into the cabin today. And this is Joseph.”

At the sound of his name, Joseph barked and wagged his tail.

Mr. Evans leaned down and scratched the dog’s ears. “He’s a handsome fellow.” Joseph wriggled with pleasure at the attention.

Then the man straightened and held out his hand and she took it. “Real pleased to meet you,” he said. It was a firm shake, and she warmed to his friendly grin.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Bill, I wondered if you could show Andy around the center and particularly the museum,” Eve said. She turned to Andy. “It’s on our wish list to do more with it, but money is tight. I’m leaving you in good hands. I have a meeting. It seems I always have a meeting. But Bill will take good care of you. He can drive you and Joseph back to the cabin.”

“Not necessary,” Andy said. “Joseph and I can make it alone. We walked up the mountain earlier.”

“Okay, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me,” Eve said, “and we’ll see you tomorrow night.” And then she was gone.

“Is she always so...busy?” she asked.

Bill Evans grinned. With his thin hair and neatly trimmed mustache, he looked to be in his late sixties. “Yes, and as a fellow vet, I feel it necessary to warn you about our mayor. She’s really good at keeping others in the same state.”

“She suggested that I try to write a short history of Covenant Falls for a brochure.”

“That’s what she suggested, huh?” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Andy wasn’t sure she liked the way he said it. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem at all,” he said. “Sounds like a good idea. You a writer?”

“Nope. A nurse by training,” she admitted.

“Ah, one of the angels. I served in Vietnam and that’s the way we thought about the nurses. And the doctors. They saved my life, for sure.”