A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [69]
“What was that for?” she asked.
“You saved the day,” I said. “They were ready to cut the chain holding us to the tree, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after that”
“Harrison, I still can’t believe you committed such an overt act of civil disobedience.”
To tell you the truth, it kind of surprised me, too. How’s Cyrus doing?”
Ruth smiled bravely. “He’s much better now. The last of the drugs are fading from his system. I pity Greg Runion; I’ve never seen my brother so angry. If he were in any condition to get up, I’m afraid he’d go after the man himself.”
“Have they had any luck finding Runion yet?”
“No, but the sheriff assures me it’s just a matter of time. Just in case, though, I’m bringing in some friends of my father who know how to handle such things. They are quite skilled at finding people on the run from the law.”
“Your dad knew bounty hunters?” I asked.
“He had quite an eclectic collection of friends,” she admitted. “I’ve found it helpful to call upon them from time to time in the past.”
I wouldn’t wish myself in Runion’s shoes for a million dollars, but he deserved whatever he got, and if Ruth’s friends could bring him back to stand trial for what he did, so be it.
“I’m just glad Cyrus is better,” I said.
“And we have you to thank for that.”
“Anybody else would have done the same thing.”
Ruth replied, “But you’re the only one who did. Harrison, we’ve been discussing the matter, and Cyrus and I would like to do something to repay you for what you’ve done.”
“Ruth, I appreciate the gesture, but I told you, I had no ulterior motives here, and I don’t expect a reward for it”
“Nevertheless, we’ve decided to deed the land beside River’s Edge to the town of Micah’s Ridge, so that it will be held in perpetuity by the community. Tomorrow’ morning, a surveying team and a landscape architect will design new footpaths through the land so everyone can enjoy it. I hope you’re pleased.”
I said honestly, “I couldn’t be happier if you’d given the land to me outright.”
“We considered it, but Cyrus warned me of your stubborn streak of pride.”
It’s my family’s curse,” I admitted.
She paused, then asked, “Harrison, isn’t there anything we can do to show our appreciation?”
“You could find out why my ex-girlfriend died,” I said. “But if that’s too much to ask, I’d settle for getting my ban from Graver’s barbecue lifted.”
“Pardon me?” she asked.
“I was just joking,” I said. “You’ve done enough. Having that woodland beside me undeveloped is all the thanks I need. Will you be heading back to West Virginia soon?”
“As much as my grandchildren miss me, I’ll be staying on a few more days until Cyrus is ready to travel. He’s coining back with me for a visit to take the opportunity to recuperate.”
“Just don’t keep him there permanently, that’s all I ask.”
Ruth smiled gently. “I imagine time with my grandchildren will bring him back to Micah’s Ridge soon enough.”
After I closed the candleshop, I headed upstairs for a shower and bed. It was amazing how much the earlier rush of adrenaline had taken out of me. I went to sleep, and for the first time since Becka’s death, I slept without dreaming. It was a precious gift to be unencumbered by the night terrors I’d been experiencing too often lately.
Ruth returned late the next morning just as I was selling several more packs of sheet wax to the man who’d been in the candleshop buying supplies for his mother. The man raved, “Harrison, you were right. My mother absolutely loves making candles this way! The cookie-cutter shapes are a huge hit with her, and now she’s got my kids making than, too. I don’t know how we’re ever going to burn all those candles.”
After he was gone, Ruth said, “I never realized there were candlemaking kits suitable for children. Could you show me something?”
I led her to the section of shelves where our gel candle kits were stocked. After she read the back of one of the kits, she said, “No, that’s too messy. What about the selection that gentleman chose for his mother?”
We moved to the aisle where the sheet-wax kits; were kept, and I showed