Wrapped in Rain(58)

"I suppose you'll be off again first thing in the morning?" Gibby asked.



"First light," I said. I looked across the water and wondered if he was alive, drowned, or even in the state of Florida. I knew this was useless.

We dropped Gibby at Spiraling Oaks and drove north the few miles to the Marriott. Jase spotted a BaskinRobbins just south of 1-295, so I pulled in and acted excited about the ice cream while my mind turned over the "We've got a room."

I opened the door to thirty-one flavors and Katie slipped her elbow under mine. "Don't worry. It's a suite. You can have the pull-out couch in the living area."

I ordered a double scoop of chocolate, Katie a single of coffee, and Jase a triple of raspberry sherbet, bubble gum ice cream, and peanut butter fudge all covered with chocolate syrup and a sliced banana.

By the time we made it to our room, it was nine thirty and Jase was leaning on Katie. I picked him up, carried him into the room, and nodded toward the bedroom. Katie pulled back the sheets, and I took off his hat, slipped off his boots, and laid him softly in the bed. Katie zipped him into his flannel pajamas, hugged him, and kissed his cheek, and without a word, he turned on his side and was out.

I followed Katie out the door and into the sitting area. Behind me, in a tired, gentle, and secure whisper, I heard, "Unca Tuck?"

I stuck my head back through the door. "Yeah, buddy."

"You didn't hug me good night."

I walked back to the bed and knelt down. Jase wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed. He kissed me on the cheek, said, "Good night, Unca Tuck," and lay back down. By the time I reached the door, he was breathing heavily and dreaming about fly rods and big fish.



I closed the door behind me and said, "I don't know much about your ex-husband, but that is a great kid."

"Yes," she said, digging through her overnight bag for some toothpaste, "he is, despite Trevor."

I stood looking out the sliding glass door when Katie came out of the bathroom. In the reflection of the glass, I saw that she was wearing sweats, both top and bottom, for which I was thankful. She sat Indian style on the couch while I watched two kids jumping in and out of the Jacuzzi.

"Tucker," she said, squeezing her hands nervously, "I haven't been entirely honest. But after today and ..." She looked back toward Jase's door. "Well, there are a few things you ought to know."

I sat down opposite her on the floor and leaned my head against the wall. She looked down at her hands and continued. "I've got legal custody and a restraining order, but those mean little to Trevor. Some of his clients are government employees, FBI, and whatnot. I think he'll use them to find me. And when he does ..." She shook her head. "I wonder if, maybe ... well, I've got a few friends in California who would let me stay a few months without asking a lot of questions. And I can get another bike." She looked up and her eyes were glassy with tears. "Maybe we ought to hop on a bus."

I looked out the window and took a long, deep breath. The kids had left the Jacuzzi and the pool was now quiet.

Tucker?

I figured she'd pipe in here before too long. She couldn't bear to stay away with so much going on. To be honest, I needed a little advice.

Tucker? I dropped my head and listened, knowing that a sermonette was soon to follow. Not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed as one of these. So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough worry of its own.



I looked back at Katie. The weight of my answer was pushing down on her. I could see she was caught; she didn't want to leave, but neither did she want to involve me in something that could turn bad in a hurry. Her eye was still black around the base but looked more like lack of sleep than the product of a strong right hand. "Miss Ella used to tell Mutt and me that each day has enough trouble of its own and that we shouldn't worry about that day until it arrives. So right now, let's just worry about today. Tomorrow, we'll worry about tomorrow."

A tear fell out the corner of her right eye and slid down the inside of her nose. She wiped it with her sleeve and stood up off the couch, trying to smile. She wanted to cry but didn't. "I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning."

I nodded and she slipped into Jase's room, closing the door behind her. I listened but never heard it lock.

I lay in bed a long time, still looking at the clock after midnight. I was tired, but more than anything, I was feeling that ache behind my belly button. Only this time, Miss Ella couldn't pull me through her window.





Chapter 23


SUN BROKE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND WOKE ME AT half past six. I was mad at myself for sleeping so late, but when I opened my eyes, I froze. Pressed up against my cheek was silky black hair. I slowly lifted my head, saw Jase's closed and sleeping eyes, and smelled the clean and sweaty smell of a little boy. His soft pajamas pressed against my arm, and his hand was curled beneath mine. A good fit.

I tried to slide out from underneath the sheets, but he flopped his arm sideways and laid it across my chest. That's when I smelled the coffee. I looked up and saw Katie sitting in a chair at the end of the sofa bed, holding a cup of coffee between her hands.

She pressed her fingers to her lips and whispered, "Shhh. I woke up an hour ago and he was gone. I ran out here to get you and found him right there." She smiled and kind of half-laughed. "I don't know whether you realize it or not, but I think you've made a friend."