Memory Lane Read online

  “I have the time.” Mark straightened. He lifted his hand and for a moment Kim thought he was reaching out to her. He didn’t touch her, and Kim was left with the question of whether she’d imagined the gesture.

  Unnerved, Kim led the way into her grandmother’s bedroom. In a distracted voice, she explained that her grandmother’s second husband had made the bed while Margaret was quilting the bedspread. “Every time I come in here I think about the love that went into this room. I just can’t get used to the idea of it being anywhere else.”

  “Your grandmother’s made up her mind.”

  “I know she has. And I’m going along with her decision. It’s just—”

  “It’s just what?”

  Kim had been studying the intricate stitching in the spread. Now she turned in response to Mark’s gentle question. “I’ve been in here most of the afternoon. I think I’ve let the museum get to me. I’ve been looking for— Something’s missing. At least I can’t find it. I don’t know how she’s going to take that.”

  Mark moved farther into the room. “What’s missing?”

  Kim lifted a ceramic box off the dresser and sat on the edge of the bed. Then she upended the box. Pieces of jewelry tumbled onto the spread. “Grandmother didn’t believe in spending money on fine jewelry, but Dow loved to buy her costume jewelry. I loved dressing up in her necklaces and brooches.”

  Mark had sat down nearby; his weight pulled Kim toward him. His strong fingers sorted through the beads and chains. “That’s quite a collection.”

  “It’s incomplete. Something, the most important piece, is missing.”

  “You’re sure?”

  Kim nodded. She spread the jewelry on the cover, hoping that she’d just missed the pin before. “I’m afraid so,” she sighed. “Grandmother had this exquisite rose-shaped mourning pin. It was made of jet, absolutely black and opaque. Except—there was a thin white slash across one end of the stone like a lightning bolt.”

  He hadn’t expected it this soon. “A mourning pin?”

  “It came from my grandfather’s side of the family. A keepsake. Grandmother said Jeromiah gave it to her right after they were married. Apparently women in mourning wore such pins as their only jewelry in the late 1800s. Jeromiah wanted her to have it. It was—Grandmother always turned quiet when she was looking at it. Except for her wedding ring, it was the only piece of jewelry Grandfather ever gave her.”

  Mark continued to stare at the jumble of jewelry between him and Kim. Anything but this. He could handle any conversation but this one. “Maybe you don’t have to tell her. You don’t want to upset her. It’s bound to show up.”

  “Not tell her?” Kim frowned. “Mark, Grandmother and I have always been honest with each other.”

  “She’s older now, Kim,” Mark said softly. “She’s had to make a lot of changes lately. Hard decisions. I’d just hate to see her upset unnecessarily.”

  “You really think I shouldn’t say anything?”

  “Kim, I know your grandmother pretty well. She’s much more than a client to me. My mother’s parents lived in the Midwest. I seldom saw them. My father’s mother, well, she wasn’t a particularly warm or outgoing woman. Your grandmother has shown me a great deal about caring and commitment. I guess what I’m saying is, if I can spare her, I will.”

  “What a beautiful thing to say.” Kim blinked rapidly. “All right. I won’t say anything. Not unless I have no choice. But I’ve looked everywhere I can think of. Mark, that was the only piece of jewelry Grandmother didn’t want me to play with. It meant so much to her. Her only reminder—”

  “Then don’t disturb her memories.”

  Mark waited until Kim had collected the jewelry and put the pieces back in the box. Then, feeling as if he was standing at the edge of a cliff waiting for the gust of wind that would throw him into space, he got to his feet and offered Kim his hand. She took it and allowed him to help her up without questioning what was happening. They’d walked through the house and were outside before either of them said anything.

  Mark took the only way he could find out of his mood. “You’re going to have to drive me back to Grass Valley. Either that or I’ll have to walk.”

  He was standing only a few inches away, keeping her close to the wonderful things he’d said about her grandmother. Kim had to struggle to keep up with the turns in this conversation. “You aren’t going to tell me what this is all about, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  A week ago Kim had been up to her ears in the budget considerations. One marathon meeting had lasted until one in the morning because Kim wasn’t about to back down on her request for shock sensors to be placed behind several priceless paintings. She’d been called bullheaded and a few less savory things, but in the end she’d prevailed. Now she was standing in front of her grandmother’s house dressed in an old shirt and shorts with a man who wanted her to walk barefoot down the driveway. And Kim was a breath away from doing just that. “Shouldn’t I get my purse?”

  “Purse? If it makes you feel more comfortable.”

  “And shoes.”

  “Shoes? Are you a tenderfoot?”

  “Yes,” Kim shot the comment over her shoulder. She hurried back up the steps and disappeared inside the house. Mark stood waiting for her, knowing nothing except that, despite the danger, this was the only thing he wanted to do today. When she rejoined him, he was so lost in thought that he didn’t think to look at what she’d put on her feet.

  Brush and trees had been allowed to grow unchecked for several years. The driveway was so narrow that it was impossible to get a car up it without branches brushing the sides. Their hands were swinging within touching distance of each other. The only sound that Kim noticed was that of Mark’s tennis shoes hitting the gravel. A branch slapped her shoulder; she wondered what her reaction would be if their fingers touched.

  They didn’t. Instead Mark identified a few shrubs during the two minutes it took for them to reach Kim’s stranded car. Because she remembered all too well her reaction to the cave-in, Kim made sure that Mark was between her and the hole.

  She paid little attention to where they were going and would have walked past the Honda if Mark hadn’t stopped her.

  “I don’t know how long you’re going to be stranded,” he said. “I wish I could give you a deadline, but that isn’t possible. In the meantime, you’re going to need transportation.”

  Kim leaned forward so she could see inside the car. “What do I owe you?”

  “Nothing. Just put gas in it.”

  “But—”

  “I know the owner of the rental car agency. He owed me a favor. No money changed hands.”

  “But—” Kim stopped herself. Mark had gone out of his way to do her a favor. She could at least show her appreciation. “Thank you. I knew I was going to have to do something. I just hadn’t decided what that something was to be.”

  “You’ll have to take me home.”

  “Oh. Of course. You have the keys?”

  “Yes ma’am. But first—first, I’m starving.”

  Kim’s ice-cream cone had been hours ago. “I could fix you something. I haven’t done much shopping yet, but—”

  “We’re going out to dinner.”

  Kim glanced down at her bare legs. “The Ritz?”

  “Not a bad idea. Unfortunately, Camp Oro doesn’t have a Ritz.”

  Kim’s mood swung wildly. If Mark had asked her to sit cross-legged on the hood of the car while they ate chicken with their fingers, she would have agreed gladly. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Pizza. Chinese food. Steak.”

  They wound up having hamburgers in a family-style restaurant on the outskirts of Grass Valley. Mark did most of the talking. He explained that his parents must have been injected with gypsy blood. Now that they’d retired, they were always on the road. He had a younger brother living in Los Angeles. According to Mark, Phil must have a short circuit somewhere to have moved to the city. Mark didn’t mind
visiting his brother there, especially if Phil had Raider football tickets, but it would take an earthquake to move him south. “Phil’s living the bachelor life to the hilt. I don’t know how he finds time to work, with all the parties he says he goes to. I’ve given up trying to keep track of the women in his life.”

  Kim picked up a French fry but didn’t put it in her mouth. Mark came from a warm, closely knit family. He hadn’t said so in so many words, but the love he felt for his parents and brother was obvious. “L.A.’s a good place for single people. At least that’s what I hear.”

  “I’ve heard the same thing. It’s just not for me.”

  “Why?” she asked gently.

  “Why aren’t I interested in the singles scene?” Mark took the fry from Kim, dipped it in catsup and popped it in his mouth. “I’ve never given it a try. Maybe I’d change my mind if I did. Kim, I think I’m a workaholic. I know that’s one of the things I’ve been accused of. I take my responsibilities seriously. Too damn seriously sometimes.”

  “But you do have a personal life, don’t you?”

  Mark nodded; it was the better part of a minute before he spoke. “Not as much as my folks want me to have, but it suits me. How did the rest of your day go?”

  Kim admitted that designing a security system for the museum was going to be the least of her problems. Dealing with four distinct antagonistic personalities was going to be the real test. “But I have someone in my camp. The police chief. Charles and I grew up together. While I was driving here I wondered whether any of the old gang was left. It helps to know I can be honest around Charles, and he’s going to be honest with me.”

  “I’m sure it helps. And wait until you see his boys. They come into the office sometimes. The littlest one just learned how to walk. He isn’t safe anywhere. You’d like him. Everyone likes Boomer.”

  Because the air conditioning had been turned on in the restaurant, Kim was chilled by the time they left. She walked briskly out to the car and flexed her legs, restoring circulation. She had no idea how long they’d been inside, only that they hadn’t run out of things to say. It seemed as if no matter what direction the conversation had gone, they’d both had something to contribute.

  Mark was in no hurry to get back in the rented car. Instead he pointed at an auto dealership located across the road from the restaurant. “Biggest dealership in the county. At least that’s what their ads say. I wouldn’t buy anything there if I were you. Some of that man’s practices— Let’s just say that I get my share of phone calls from dissatisfied customers asking if there’s any way they can get out of the deals they’ve gotten themselves into with Friendly Eddie.”

  Kim pointed out that she wasn’t in the market for a new car. “Are you supposed to tell me something like that? I mean, what if I repeated it somewhere?”

  “I trust you not to. Besides, it’s not like the man’s cutthroat tactics aren’t general knowledge.”

  They were getting into the rented car when an expensive new Buick pulled out of the dealership’s lot, crossed the road and pulled up alongside Mark.

  “Slumming, Mark?”

  Because the lighting in the park lot wasn’t the best, it took Kim a moment to recognize Anthea Norval. Mark still had his hand on the car’s door but had turned to face the woman. “It’s a decent restaurant, Anthea. I didn’t feel like spending the whole evening getting a meal.”

  Anthea’s cool laugh sent a quick chill down Kim’s spine. “Don’t get defensive, Mark. Ms. Revis. I didn’t recognize you. I told Charmaine that if Mark was half the man he wants everyone to believe he is, he’d find a way to spend some time with you. However, I didn’t think even he could work this fast.”

  Kim nodded to acknowledge Anthea’s presence but didn’t attempt to enter the conversation. Anthea was explaining that she’d been on her way home when she’d spotted Mark. “I didn’t recognize the car. But I recognized your walk. And your build. I heard that the town council is meeting tomorrow night. You work fast.”

  “The mayor called the meeting, Anthea.”

  Anthea shrugged off Mark’s explanation. “At your insistence, I’m sure. I’ll be there as I’m sure you will. What are you going to recommend, Mark? Maybe there’s a way you could charge people to see the cave-in. Heaven knows the town budget needs every boost it can get. I just wish you and the council would get it through your heads that you can’t support the town by placing the burden on the backs of local businesses. You’re going to drive business away if you keep on raising the business tax.”

  “It was raised once in the last seven years, Anthea.” Mark’s voice, which had been a light touch inside the restaurant, now alerted Kim to another side of Mark’s nature. There was no doubt in her mind that Mark didn’t want to talk to Anthea.

  With a shrug, Anthea dismissed Mark’s comment. “You don’t mince words, do you? If nothing else, I always know where you stand. Maybe you’ll give me an answer to something.” When Mark said nothing, she went on. “Everyone knows the council is in your hip pocket. What I’d like to know is when you’re planning on turning your considerable energies to the museum.”

  “I have no interest—”

  Anthea snorted. “Come on, Mark. A man with your kind of drive, I’m surprised you haven’t started making inroads already. I’m going to be honest with you. Your involvement with the museum would not have my approval.”

  Mark shrugged. “I’d rather gathered that. Besides, I’m not interested. I have my practice.”

  “Ambition, Mark, ambition.” Anthea tapped her forehead. “What do you want, a judgeship? A political career? I’m not the only one who’s watching for you to make your move.”

  “It’s going to be a long wait then.”

  “We’ll see.” Anthea began to put up her window. “We’ll see.”

  “That woman,” Mark muttered, once he and Kim were on their way. “There isn’t a word that comes out of her mouth that isn’t calculated.”

  “What was her point?” Kim asked.

  “She’s just digging. Trying to feel me out. Pushing buttons to see if she can get me to say something I hadn’t intended.”

  “Is she right? Would it be to your advantage to get involved with the museum board?”

  “Kim, the last thing I’m interested in is clawing my way up any ladder.” His tone softened. “I like what I do. I’m content to spend my working life as a lawyer.”

  “Then why would—”

  “Why would Anthea think different? Because she’s an ambitious woman married to an ambitious, unscrupulous man. She doesn’t believe there’s any other way of living.”

  “I’m sorry,” Kim said after a moment of silence. “I wish we hadn’t run in to her.”

  “So am I. But I should have expected it.”

  “How could you?”

  “The auto dealership. Her husband runs it.”

  Mark’s home was in the hills above Grass Valley. The road leading to his house was narrow and not particularly good, but Kim noted that the homes along it were large and the lots well maintained. Mark’s house, almost hidden by pine trees, had been built in the 1930s and extensively remodeled. It was obvious that Mark was proud of the results. “I could have spent a lot less money buying a newer home, but Anthea’s right about one thing. I love a challenge.”

  “I love the surroundings.” Because Mark hadn’t gotten out of the car, Kim took her cue from him. “It’s so natural.”

  “I have a deck and yard in back. I just wish I had more time to enjoy it. Kim, I enjoyed tonight.”

  Wasn’t he going to invite her in? He’d just told her about the work he’d had done in the kitchen, the updated wiring and plumbing. “So did I. Having a car I can use is going to help.”

  Mark opened his door. The desire to invite Kim into his home was strong. He wanted to show her the den with its brick fireplace, and the way he’d opened up the living and dining room to create a feeling of spaciousness.

  But he didn’t dare. He was a man wh
o put loyalty to his clients first, so there would always be something he had to keep from Kim Revis. And if they became any closer than they were right now, he didn’t know how he would be able to do that. “Call me when you get home,” he told her. “I’ll feel better knowing you arrived safely.”

  “Of course.”

  He wasn’t imagining the questions in her voice. Still, Mark helped Kim out of the car and walked her around to the driver’s side. As she slipped behind the wheel, he felt a little of the tension go out of him. He’d done her a favor by providing her with transportation and taking her out to dinner. It was the least he could do for the granddaughter of a client.

  It was the only thing he dared to do, under the circumstances.

  Chapter Five

  A little after eight the next morning, Kim left the house and walked down to where she’d left the rental car. She hadn’t told Rogan that she’d be there early, but she’d been awake since six and, although she could have spent some time going through her grandmother’s possessions, she was too restless for her own company.

  Kim didn’t know whether to view last night as a beginning, or simply tell herself not to read too much into their shared meal and the pleasant trip out to Mark’s place. True, he’d called a half hour after she left to make sure she’d gotten home, but he’d limited his end of the conversation to a reminder of the upcoming town council meeting.

  Except for children walking to school, Camp Oro was almost deserted this time of the morning. Although it was a little chilly, Kim drove with her window down, savoring the fresh smells and nodding at a couple of young boys riding skateboards on the sidewalk. Seeing them took her back to her own childhood and served as a reminder of how safe growing up in Camp Oro had been. The only difference was that she’d ridden a bike instead of a skateboard.