Mac's Man

Mac’s Man By

Elaine Charton Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.net Triskelion Publishing 15327 W. Becker Lane Surprise, AZ 85379 Copyright © 2006 Elaine Charton All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the publisher except, where permitted by law. ISBN 1-933874-70-8 Publisher’s Note. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.Any resemblance to a person or persons, living or dead, business establishments, events

Dedication For my brothers Paul, Ted, Mark, Bill and last but not least, Michael. Because you didn’t expect it.

Prologue Danny Connor slid the door to the warehouse open, giving his eyes a minute to adjust to the dark. A few feet away a large bald man stood waiting behind a table. The light from a small camping lamp illuminated the area around the table only. Bobby Hanrahan always reminded him of Uncle Fester from the Adams family. But he thought Fester may have a few more brain cells. Everyone knew Bobby was only kept around by his brother for his brawn. That’s when he realized there was only Bobby, himself, and one other man. Tommy O’Neil, Bobby’s best friend, and the man rumored to have killed his own brother. When the meeting had been set up, he asked to meet with Mike Hanrahan. He was the man they were looking for, the alleged brains behind the whole ring. Tommy glanced outside, satisfied Danny had arrived alone before shutting the door. There were cops outside, hidden where Tommy wouldn’t see them. There were also some hidden inside, crouched in dark corners where they’ve been for hours, ready to spring to action if he needed them. Mac was in there somewhere, and he hoped she’d stay hidden. He didn’t like the way this felt tonight. Danny stood with legs apart, arms held out so Tommy could check him for a wire or any hidden weapons. Every nerve in Danny’s body screamed set up, but if he ran now, he was a dead man. He had more chance of staying alive if he played the game. He walked, slowly, almost swaggering up to the table. He’d spent too much time and effort on this case to blow it now. “Where’s Mike tonight?” he asked, laying the duffle bag on the table. He took several metal pieces out and laid them on the table, where he began to assemble the weapon. “His kid’s got a school play tonight so he sent me instead. He knew you would understand.”

He understood all right, chances are Mike was off screwing his latest girlfriend leaving his wife home to deal with the “school play.” “Here you go, Bobby,” he handed the weapon to the man. “The latest and greatest, guaranteed the boys you‘re selling them to will love it.” He waited, watching as Bobby weighed the weapon in his hand before raising it to check the sight gauge. He swung the weapon around to point it straight at Danny. “So, you feeling lucky tonight, huh Dano?” He cocked the trigger. Danny smiled, never let them see you sweat, that was his motto. “Sure am Bobby, that thing’s not loaded. You’ll get the ammo when I get my money.” He waited, not sure how Bobby would take that, or his friend. Suddenly he felt cold steel at the base of his neck. Apparently Tommy O’Neil couldn’t take a joke. Danny waited to see what would happen “Jeez, Tommy, leave him alone. I’m only playing. I can trust Danny. He says he has the ammo, he’ll deliver. Get the briefcase and put it up here.” Danny breathed a silent sigh of relief when Tommy removed the weapon from his head. Just a few more minutes and he’d be out of here scot free. He approached the table and reached the briefcase. As he unlocked it, he caught something out of the corner of his eye. Turning he saw Tommy running out the door. But it was too late, a flash, excruciating pain and the sound of a woman screaming was all he heard before he sank into nothingness.

Chapter One “Dumb ass animal, where the hell have you gone to now?” TJ O’Malley tromped through the woods trying to follow the sounds of his dog’s barking. After three years he knew every inch of these woods like it was the back of his hand. He should, he walked it every night. He loved it here in the wilds of Comfort, Maine. After all he’d been through, he still couldn’t sleep until he checked every inch of his property. The house and garage were close enough to town that he could get in if needed. But still far enough away to have his privacy and the one thing TJ valued more than anything else was his privacy. Crane usually stayed with him on these walks, tonight however something had caused him to run away. Probably smelled a rabbit or something. Foolish dog thought he was pure hunter. Someone, somewhere had forgot to tell Crane he was nothing but a mutt. Early spring in Maine was cold and wet, the time of year when a degree either way could make the difference between rain or snow. He pulled his jacket tighter against the damp night air. A smarter man would have stayed in his cabin where at least he’d be warm and dry. That’s just what he should do, go back to his warm cabin, his good book, and his even better whiskey. Let Crane, damn fool dog that he was find his own way home. “You better not bring me back any dead skunks you mangy mutt.” He called out as he turned back to the cabin. He’d only taken a few steps when he stopped. The dog’s bark had gotten more insistent, louder. In fact it was the

only sound he heard, there were none of the usual noises heard on his nightly sojourn. He trudged back through the woods, following the urgent barking. “Crane? Where are you boy?” The sounds the dog made grew louder and louder until TJ found himself at the top of a small hill leading down to the lake. He could barely see the dog at the bottom of the hill. Crane appeared to be pulling at something in the water. TJ cursed himself for not bringing a flashlight out with him. “You better not have dragged me out here for fish.” He muttered as he slowly made his way down the hill. There was something in the water alright and it didn’t look anything like fish. As he maneuvered his way down the hill to the water’s edge he realized it was not a something, but a someone. From the looks of things, whoever it was probably fell down and knocked themselves unconscious. It was hard to tell if the body was male or female. It looked tall and thin with long dark hair, but that didn’t signify anything. He wore his own hair long, usually tied back with a rubber band, or whatever happened to be handy. The body lay belly down on the ground. Kneeling, he brushed away some hair to feel for a pulse. Slow, but steady. Good, at least he didn’t have a dead body on his hands. He checked the extremities for breaks and bleeding and in the process discovered the body was female. Carefully he turned her over and almost fell back in the water. “Shit!” Pa used to always tell me life was strange. He looked up to the heavens then down at a face he knew all to well. A face he thought he’d never see again. It was Matilda MacCormack, Mac to her friends. To him, she would always be Mattie. A ghost who had haunted his dreams the past three years, a body he’d never thought to see again. “A good thing I’m already on my knees,” he said to the dog, because the shock he’d just had would surely have sent him to the ground.

He needed to get her out of there as quickly and as safely as possible. He could call the rescue squad, but that would involve too many questions. Plus a trip to the hospital, which he figured, she didn’t want. Mac wasn’t a country girl, at least the Mac he knew. If she had landed up here, it was for a reason and until he knew what that reason was, he wanted her where he could keep an eye on her. He just prayed he wouldn’t be putting her in more danger. He glanced up at the path he had just come down then down at the woman unconscious in front of him. He could get her up to flat land but would have to leave her there while he went to get the truck. He had no choice. Very carefully he lifted her in his arms. Not exactly an easy task when the woman in question was six feet tall. Even if she had lost weight, too much of it in his opinion. She moaned and he tightened his grip on her. “Ah, Mattie, my heart.” He spoke softly as he made his way up from the lake. “What have you gone and done now?” Crane walked behind him, and when TJ carefully placed Mattie on the ground and covered her with his jacket. The dog moved beside her. “That’s right, boy. Keep an eye on her until I return okay?” He rubbed the dog’s head and was rewarded by a tail thump. Taking one last look at the woman he turned and ran back to his house. Inside, he grabbed his cell phone, punched some numbers in and waited for an answer as he grabbed some blankets out of the hall closet. “Hello” A sleepy female voice answered. “Doc, are you alone?” “TJ? I didn’t think you cared!” “Doc?” He had no time for jokes. Reaching into his closet, he grabbed a heavy blanket that he could throw over Mattie for the short ride back. The voice suddenly became alert and attentive. “What’s wrong, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He reassured his friend. “But I have someone who’s been injured. Can you come out here and look at her?” “Her? What’s this all about TJ?” Outside now, he spread the blankets in the bed of the pickup. “Look Doc, I need you to come out here and not let anyone know where you are, not yet anyway. Is Simon with you?” “No, do I need to call him, what about the chopper? Who is this woman, and how bad is she injured?” “It’s no one you know. I’m not sure how injured she is. I found her down by the lake. Definitely some shock, I won’t be able to see anything until I get her back to the house. But no chopper, please Doc, and don’t call Simon. It’s important. I’ll talk to him in the morning and explain things.” “What if she needs to go to the hospital?” “I don’t think she’s that bad, it’s hard to tell though. I’d rather keep her out of the hospital if at all possible.” She sighed. “Can you at least get her to my office? I may want to take some x-rays.” “Can’t you come out and take a look at her. Please.” He pleaded. “I really don’t want to move her any more than I have to.” She didn’t answer immediately and TJ wondered what he would do. If Doc Debbie insisted, he’d have no choice but to let her put Mattie in the hospital and he’d stay there with her. Finally, she spoke. “Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be there.” He blew out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “Thanks, you’re an angel.” Ending the call he started the truck up and headed back, he’d left Mattie alone far too long. He made it back in record time. His truck easily maneuvering the path through the woods to the lake. She lay right where he left her, on the ground,

still as a corpse with Crane standing guard over her. He jumped out and checked her pulse. It was a little stronger than last time but still not great. “Good boy!” He scratched the dog on his favorite spot. Carefully he lifted Mattie up and laid her on the blankets spread across the truck bed. ***** The darkness threatened to engulf her but she fought it. She was being jostled and the pain grew worse with each bump until it threatened to overwhelm her but she couldn’t let it stop her. A voice called to her and she went toward it. The voice sounded familiar and safe, maybe it could help her find him, before it was too late. ***** The ride back to his cabin had never seemed so long and he was relieved to see Doc’s truck pulled up in front. He’d left the lights on, so at least they could see something She had the back of the truck open and had climbed in next to Mattie before he could even turn the motor off. He joined her on the truck bed. “I checked her for fractures, no visible ones anyway. She didn’t feel like she had a fever.” “She’s definitely in shock,” said Doc. There was enough light from the house that TJ was finally able to get a good look at her. “Holy Shit!” Dismay turned to anger as he counted the bruises and cuts on her face. He could feel his blood turn to ice but he somehow managed to hide the fury growing within him. “She’s been beaten pretty bad. We’d better get her inside. I should call Simon.” “No!” The words came out before he could stop them. “Why on earth not? Someone may be looking for her. Just look at her, TJ. The Sheriff needs to be notified.” “I agree, just not yet.” He looked once again at Mattie then back to the Doc. “Debbie, please just trust me on this one. I told you, I’ll tell Simon, myself,

first thing in the morning.” He knew if he called her by her first name she’d get an idea of just how important this was to him. He had a few phone calls of his own to make before he involved Simon in this. She looked at him, not answering and for a few seconds he thought she was going to argue with him. Finally, she nodded. “Lets get her into the house, it’s a good thing you have only one floor. I don’t like the way that leg looks, she may have fractured it.” He lifted Mattie carefully and headed inside. In the light of the porch he saw even more bruises on her face and neck. God knows what the rest of her looked like. He carried her into his bedroom and laid her gently down on the bed. Carefully, he removed her jacket and opened her vest. “Ah Mattie, who did this to you?” He let some of the anger he’d buried for the past three years surface. Slowly, he traced a finger down her cheek, and wrapped a piece of her hair around his finger. Her long hair, her pride and joy, most of it lay tangled around her on the pillow. It would have to be cut. Doc entered the room with her bag, a pan of warm water and some towels. “Okay, O’Malley, out! Let me do my job.” ***** There was another voice, warm, comforting, somehow safe. She forced herself to open her eyes, to see where she was. There was a kindly woman with a stethoscope around her neck pulling some blankets over her. She tried to sit up. “Hush, be still, you’re safe now. I’ve given you something to help the pain. Right now, all you need to do is sleep. Don’t worry about a thing. You’ll be safe here.” She heard a door open and a man appeared from behind the woman, staring over her shoulder. His face was scared on one side only, and he wore a patch over the eye on that side. Somewhere just on the edge of her consciousness was an image she needed to find but her body was too tired to let her. She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

TJ followed Doc out of the room and into his kitchen shaking his head at Crane who parked himself on the floor outside the room. “So, how bad is it?” He finally asked her. “Bad enough, she’s damn lucky you found her when you did.” He shuddered inwardly when he thought about how he almost turned back and what would have happened if he did. “It was actually Crane who found her. He kept barking until I came after him.” “I always thought that dog was smarter than he looks.” “Yeah, he’s appointed himself her guardian. Right now he’s parked outside my bedroom.” “She’ll need all the help she can in the next few days. I’d still feel better if she was in the hospital in Caribou. She’s in shock and who knows how long she lay in that water. Not to mention that left leg is probably broken and the arm may be as well. I’ve put an immobilizer on her leg and a brace on her arm. I sure would feel better though if I could get some x-rays.” “Can’t you do them in your office? I can bring her down there in a few days.” “I could, but I’d still feel better if she was in the hospital.” She held her hand out to stop his argument. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to insist. I want you to watch her carefully. Keep her warm and I’ll be back in the morning. If she has trouble of any kind I’ll have her down in Caribou so fast it’ll make your head spin.” “Thanks Doc, I owe you.” He followed her out of the room, retrieving her coat from the rack on the wall. “And I’ll collect.” She buttoned her coat which TJ had held open for her. She reached into her medical bag to take a bottle out. “As I said, keep her warm, we need to get her body temperature up. She’ll probably wake up in a lot of pain, give her two of these.” “Will do.” He held the door open for her.

She stopped and stared at him. “I’m sure you’ll tell Simon, if he doesn’t already know. But are you going to tell me who she is?” He shook his head. “Sorry, not yet.” “I didn’t think so.” Reaching up she kissed his cheek. “Have no fear O’Malley. Your secret is safe with me.” ***** He watched Mattie sleeping soundly wrapped up in his electric blanket. Doc said he needed to get her body temperature back up to normal. He wondered if he should put another blanket on her. He felt her cheek with the back of his hand. Warm, that was good. Suddenly, she turned her head into the pillow, effectively trapping his hand there. It felt so good to be touching her again, even if it was only a small part. Ah Mattie, he thought, would you ever forgive me? Slowly, he slipped his hand out and walked away from the bed. Stopping at the door, he gave her one last look before closing it behind him. When Doc had undressed her, he’d taken Mattie’s clothes into the kitchen, intending to burn them. They were ruined anyway, not even worth washing. Doc was going to bring her some clothes in the morning. No telling how long she’d been lying in that water. This time of year it was too cold, and there were too many bugs to even think about fishing. If Crane hadn’t found her she could have…he refused to think about that. He began searching the pockets on the off chance he might find something, anything that would give him a hint why she had come so far. In the change pocket of her jeans he pulled something out that gave him his second shock of the night. She had kept it! Hanging off the chain was a Claddagh ring, it had been his mother’s and he had given it to Mattie when they had moved in together. The week before all hell broke loose. Inscribed inside was the words Go Sabhala Dia Tusa Agus Mise Agus Sinne Ona Cheile. May God save you and me while we are apart. He had wanted to have the ring resized to fit her but she wouldn’t hear of it. She would wear it on

a chain around her neck. His mother had given it to him and Mattie had wanted it to remain as it was when he received it. A million memories assaulted his consciousness and he grabbed on to the kitchen table slowly lowering himself down into the chair. The ring remained clenched in his hand. He was an agent of the Federal Government, trained in firearms and armed combat. He had killed when it was needed. Yet, once again his life had been torn apart by the one woman who would always hold the key to his heart. ***** The ringing woke him out of a restless sleep. He grabbed the phone hoping it was his contact in the agency. It was Simon Calhoun, the town sheriff and the closest thing TJ had to a friend here. “What do you want?” He snapped, pulling himself up into a sitting position on the sofa where he’d fallen asleep. “Good morning to you, too. I want to know about the stranger you fished out of the lake last night.” “Damn,” he cursed. “I told Debbie I would call you, she didn’t have to do that.” “She didn’t. Ada apparently called Frannie as soon as she got in the office Debbie left her notes out for Ada to build a chart. By the time I got to the diner for breakfast that’s all anyone was talking about.” “Leave it to Ada.” TJ should have realized Debbie’s secretary wouldn’t keep her mouth shut. “Yeah, well I called Debbie, who’s probably on her way over to your place. She said that you were hiding something from her. This wouldn’t have anything to do with your previous life, would it?” “There’s really not much to tell you right now. If you spoke with Debbie then you know this woman’s been out of it since I found her. The last time I looked in on her she appeared to be resting quietly. I’ll know more after she wakes up and I get a chance to talk to her.”

“Just be sure you keep me posted. A body ends up in the water, you know there was a crime somewhere. If it’s in my town, I want to know about it.” “I’ll let you know as soon as I find out anything.” “Have you heard from anyone else?” Simon asked. “No, I called in but all I could do was punch in the emergency code. No one’s called back yet.” “Damn. So she does have something to do with your past life.” “Exactly, let me go check on her and I’ll call you later.” ***** It hurt so much! Why was it so bright here? She pulled the blanket over her head, wanting to go back to sleep, wanting the pain to stop. “Good morning.” A thick male voice with a touch of an Irish lilt penetrated her consciousness. “I see you decided to rejoin the living. She slowly pulled the blanket down and let her eyes accustom themselves to the bright light. She remembered the room from the brief period she had been awake earlier. Nothing else looked even vaguely familiar. The windows were opened and outside she could hear birds chirping and a dog barking. Standing in the doorway, the man she remembered from the last time she woke up smiled down at her. Was this his house? Maybe he could help answer some questions for her. Questions like, “Where am I? How did I get here?” And more importantly, “Who am I?” She didn’t think she’d ever been here before. She could identify the sights and sounds going on around her, but that was it. One arm was in a brace and it felt like something heavy was attached to her leg. But she had no idea who she was, or why she was here and that scared the hell out of her. “Good Morning.” Her voice sounded hoarse, she hoped it wasn’t her normal speaking voice. “Ah, you haven’t lost your voice. Think you can stay awake long enough to eat something?”

Her stomach grumbled, and she nodded. The man simply smiled. “I’ll be right back then.” She looked around the room, simple yet cozy. Beside the bed she lay in, there was a desk, with a TV on it, a dresser and a bookshelf stacked with books. Outside the window was bare trees and sunshine. For some reason she thought it looked cold outside. She tried to remember what day it was, what time of the year but couldn’t. The door opened and the man strolled into the room placing the tray on the bedside table. “I thought you might be hungry. I have a mug of broth here and some crackers.” He helped her to a sitting position. “How’s that?” “Fine, but everything hurts.” She rubbed the arm in the brace. “What happened and what’s holding my leg down?” “I was sort of hoping you could tell me what happened? You have an immobilizer on your leg. Doc Fletcher doesn’t want you to put any weight on it. “ “Doc Fletcher?” “Yeah, Debbie Fletcher, you spoke to her briefly last night.” She vaguely recalled a kindly woman with grayish hair. “Oh right.” “She’ll be by later to explain everything to you.” He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat in it. “Right now, I think you should eat. If you can handle these, we’ll try something more substantial later.” She nodded weakly and took the mug from him. It smelled heavenly! She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. She sipped slowly, enjoying every last drop of the liquid before turning to her benefactor. “Thank you, Mister?” “My name is O’Malley, Thomas Jefferson O’Malley, but you can call me TJ. And you’re welcome.” The plastic surgeon Frank hired had done a great job. Either that or she really couldn’t remember who he was. “This is my place. You were found last night in the lake. Do you remember how you got there?”

When she didn’t answer, he nodded and walked over to a wooden chest where a pile of clothes laid on top. He took a nightgown from the pile. “I’d imagine you’d want to clean up. Doc Fletcher wanted me to call as soon as you woke up. She’ll be back around three and it must be close to that now. She came by this morning to check on you and left a few nightgowns. Since your own clothes were all you had with you and we had to burn them.” He turned the light on in the adjoining bathroom and put the nightgown in there. “I don’t think you’re quite up to a shower yet. Doc says you’re supposed to take it easy. I don’t think she’ll object to a little washing up. Might help you feel better.” He was rambling, but it couldn’t be helped. “Thank you, it would.” Pushing the blankets off, she attempted to bring her legs over the side of the bed but the immobilizer hindered her movement. Debbie had put one of his flannel shirts on her. She still had legs that went on forever. He realized he was staring as he helped her swing her legs over the side of the bed to a sitting position. “Here.” “Oh!” Her head felt light and she thought she would pass out again. “Sit and let the spinning stop first, then we’ll take it slow.” It took a few minutes and when she tried to stand up, he simply lifted her off the bed and carried her across to the bathroom. “What are you doing?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m under orders, you are not to put any weight on that foot. As we don’t have crutches here yet, this is the only alternative.” It took all he had to control his body’s reaction to her closeness. He sat her down on the closed toilet seat and busied himself setting things within her reach. She took the opportunity to sneak a peek at her host. Tall, very tall, long brownish hair and incredible chocolate eyes. Chocolate eye, she corrected herself. As a patch covered what she assumed was the other eye. He seemed familiar somehow yet he didn’t.

“Here, you are.” He interrupted her thoughts, placing towels and other essentials on the shelf within her reach. “What did you say your name was?” He asked. “I didn’t.” She’d hoped he’d tell her. “Well, once you’re cleaned up and feeling better you can tell me. If you need help, just holler. The house isn’t that big, I’ll hear you. We can talk later.” “Fine.” She smiled weakly at him, glad when he left her alone. She’d love to talk to him, if she could remember anything to talk about. ***** The phone rang the usual number of rings before the machine kicked in. TJ punched in the code once again and hung up. They damn well better call back soon! He’d been told to use this number for crisis situations only and this definitely classified as a crisis. ***** There was a mirror on the back of the door and the reflection staring back at her was one of a total stranger. One that obviously had been on the losing end of some battle. She touched the bruise on her cheek and winced. A matching bruise on the other cheek completed the look as well as a cut on her forehead. Slowly, she unbuttoned the oversized shirt she’d been wearing and almost screamed at the bruises she saw there. No wonder she hurt so much. The immobilizer holding her leg straight was about the only thing on her that was not rainbow colored.

Lord only knows what it looked like under the

immobilizer. “What on earth happened to me?” She sat down and managed to clean up a little bit, slipping the too large night gown on over her head just about wore her out. But she had no way of getting back into bed. Not without putting pressure on her leg. She sat down and waited for her host to come back, picking the brush up she attempted to get some of the tangles out of her hair. A knock on the door was followed by a female voice.

“It’s Doctor Fletcher. Are you alright in there? Do you need some help?” “Yes, please.” A large-boned woman with grayish hair entered. She had a pair of crutches in one hand. “Glad to see you with us finally. Do you think you can manage these?” “I can try.” The doctor helped her to a standing position, placing the crutches under her arms before assisting her back to the bed. “You gave us quite a fright, you know that? I’ve never seen TJ so upset about something in the three years he’s lived here.” “Where’s here?” She fell back onto the bed and the doctor helped her to swing her leg up on the bed. “Comfort, Maine. About 30 miles from the Canadian border.” The doctor’s eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Do you remember anything?” Tears welled in her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “Nothing, not even my own name.” “I’m not surprised, you were beat up pretty badly.” The doctor laid her bag on the bed next to her patient. “Let’s check your physical condition first, and then we can talk about your memory, or lack of one.” ****** The call he’d been expecting came through just as he’d closed the door behind the doctor. Luckily, all of Mattie’s physical wounds would heal. He just prayed she didn’t remember anything before then. “O’Malley,” he answered. “This better be an emergency.” The voice on the other end snapped back at him. It wasn’t who he expected, but his assistant. A man TJ didn’t like one bit. He wished Burke had called. “Where’s Burke?” “To busy to baby-sit you. What’s the emergency?“ “A big one. Have you heard any rumors about Mike Hanrahan lately?”

“Nothing you didn’t already know, why?” “Matilda MacCormack, that’s why. I fished her out of the lake last night, alive.” “What the hell is she doing up there and how did she find you?” “If I knew the answer to that I wouldn’t have called you. She doesn’t know it’s me. In fact she doesn’t remember her own name.” “Then how the hell did she find you?” “I told you, I don’t know. The last time I saw her was just before the stake out. I’ve told you that before. We all agreed it would be safer for her, for everyone if it was just assumed I had died in the blast. She didn’t recognize me, the doctor thinks she’s suffering from some form of traumatic amnesia. What are you going to do?” “For now, not a damn thing. I’ll let Burke know what’s happening down there. If she starts to remember anything give us a call. Until then, do nothing until you hear from us.”

“Fine.” He hung up and swore softly. Three years

ago, he’d walked away from her, the only woman he’d ever loved. He’d done it for one reason, to protect her. Now she was back and he would keep her with him for that very same reason. He just prayed when it was over, he’d not have to walk away a second time, he wasn’t sure he could. ***** When he entered the room she was staring out the window. “It’s so peaceful up here.” “Yeah, it was one of the hardest things for me to get used to.” He said, watching her to see her reaction. “You’re not from around here?” “Nope, a little further south. Came up here when I had a chance to take over the garage.” He figured he was better sticking to his original cover. “Do we know each other?” She blurted out suddenly. TJ stopped dead in his tracks. “What?”

“I’m sorry. I’m probably grasping at straws here. I’m sure Doctor Fletcher told you I don’t remember anything.” “Yes, she told me and I can honestly say that I,-TJ O’Malley never laid eyes on you before the night I found you lying in the lake.” He wasn’t really lying, she had asked about TJ, not about the man she once knew as Danny Connor. “Aren’t you even the least bit curious as to how I got there and why?” He shrugged and walked over to the window. “I figured you’d tell me in good time, when you’re ready to remember.” A bright red pick up truck drove by, probably Frannie going back to the diner after bringing her father lunch. “What if I never remember?” She whispered softly. He’d barely heard her, but he turned at the sounds of her quiet tears. “Damn!” he sat next to her and gathered her into his arms, or as much as he could without hurting her leg. He never could stand it when she cried and the years had not changed that. His Mattie hardly ever cried. She always had to be tougher than her brothers, tougher than any of them. “Hush- Acushula - Hush.” He whispered nonsense words to her, anything to get her to stop. “I’m sorry.” She pulled away and wiped her eyes on the back of her hands. “I never do that, at least I don’t think I do.” “With all you’ve been through the big surprise would be if you didn’t do some crying.” He stood up with her in his arms. “Do you want to stay here, or shall I carry you into the front room.” She pointed back to the bed. “Let me stay here for a while. I’m tired.” “Okay.” He gently laid her down and placed a pillow under the leg before covering her with a blanket. “Until you remember your name, what can I call you? You hardly look like a Jane Doe.”

“No I don’t,” she agreed. “I’m not really sure what my name is, I have this jumbled mess in my brain and I just wish it would sort itself out. What was that you called me earlier?” “Acushula?” He felt himself blush. “That’s an Irish term of endearment, my mother used to use it.” “Oh.” She wondered if she had a mother somewhere, waiting, worrying about her. “It sounded familiar that’s all. Any suggestion? Other than, hey you!” TJ watched her. What’s in that mind of yours, Mattie? Acushula should sound familiar. It was what he would whisper in her ear when he woke her in the morning. Before he tried more pleasurable means, that is. He pretended to think about it for a minute, “Philomena-Bridget-Eileen-Mary-Mattie-Matilda-?” He threw the last one in just to see if he got a reaction. Mac had hated her Christian name, other than her parents no one had ever called her Matilda. He used to call her Mattie, but to everyone else she was Mac. She wrinkled her nose “Who would have the nerve to name their kid Matilda? None of them sound familiar but I like Mattie.” “Okay, Mattie it is.” He stood up. “Right now Mattie, I have to go to the garage and get some work done. I’m the only mechanic in this town and I have to finish a job today.” “Oh.” She would be alone, with no one around for miles and that unnerved her. What if someone came looking for her, or for TJ? “Don’t worry, it’s not far. It’s in back of the house, you can see it from the kitchen window.” He pointed to a door behind her. “You know where the bathroom is and the kitchen is just beyond that. My garage is behind the house so I’ll be within yelling distance. Or use the phone there next to you. Just hit memory and the number four and you’ll be connected. I’ll be back in a few hours to get us dinner.”

“Okay.” Knowing he was close by eased her mind a little bit. She’d stay here, not sure she’d be able to maneuver much else just yet. The little bit she had done wore her out. Just then, she heard a loud scratching on the door followed by an even louder bark. “What is that?” Mattie asked. “That, is Crane.” He opened the door, and a huge black dog bounded in and over to Mattie. He put two paws up on the bed and began licking her face. “Crane. Down. Now.” TJ admonished. The animal complied, lying on the floor next to the sofa, it’s big tail thumping happily as Mattie leaned over to scratch its ears. TJ knew that look on the dog’s face, sheer adoration. He only got it when he had steak or pork chops to share with him. “Crane usually comes to the garage with me, but I think I’ll leave him here with you. If you don’t mind?” “No, I don’t. He’s a sweetheart.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure about that. I do know he’s a good watchdog, he’ll keep you safe.” He moved the crutches to within easy reach for her. “He was the one who actually found you and he slept outside your door last night.” “Than I’ll be fine, right boy?” She leaned over and scratched behind the dogs ears. The dog thumped his tail in agreement.

Chapter Two A few days later Mattie got ready for her first outing into the town of Comfort. Doc Fletcher, Debbie, wanted to do x-rays of her arm and leg. Truth be told, Mattie wanted a look at the town she had landed in. Maybe something would jog her memory and she could begin to remember things. TJ had converted the front room into a make shift bedroom for her. She didn’t feel right taking his bed. The bathroom was between the two rooms and he’d arranged everything so that it was within easy reach. Except her memory, she thought as she looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She was able to do quite nicely, even if it was slow. Doc Fletcher had lent her some clothes, and had even gotten her a hairbrush and some cosmetics so she could a least look halfway decent when she met the citizens of Comfort. She didn’t think she’d make it to the doctor’s office and back without running into someone. “Are you ready?” TJ stood in the doorway of the room watching her. He held a jacket in his hands. “As ready as I’m going to be. Is that mine?” “No. You didn’t have one on when we found you. This is an old one of mine that you can wear.” He walked over and helped her into it, then moved into the living room so she’d have room to maneuver. “Thank you.” She smiled at him, the coat was big but it was warm and smelled of TJ. Hard work, old cars and a little bit of pine mixed in. It smelled

wonderful. Her mind may not remember who she was, but her hormones were sure in working order. Gingerly, she made her way out the door and down the front steps of the house. It wasn’t easy on the crutches, but TJ was right beside her ready to help if need be. She concentrated one step at a time, all the time conscious of the man next to her. She wondered where Crane had disappeared to. The dog had been her shadow ever since she arrived. Where was he now? Looking up toward the truck, she laughed. There he sat calmly waiting in the back of the truck. His tail wagged when he saw them, the thump as it hit the truck bed telecasting his pleasure to anyone within hearing distance. “Where do you think you’re going?” TJ stopped and stared at the dog. “You know you can’t come to town with me.” “Yes, but you never told him he couldn’t come in with me.” Mattie leaned over the truck bed and scratched the dog between the ears. Crane rewarded her with a bark. TJ shook his head and pointer over his shoulder to the house. “Okay, boy. Get your sorry butt out of there. Someone has to stay and guard the house.” The dog gave him a hurt look, jumped out and plopped himself on the porch. “Obviously, he had to have been an actor in another life.” Mattie laughed as she waited for TJ to open the truck door for her. “A bad one at that.” He agreed as he assisted her into the truck and went around to the drivers’ side. It was a beautiful spring day, cool but bright and sunny. Mattie watched the countryside as they drove, searching for something, anything that would provide a clue to her identity. “This is Main Street,” TJ said as he turned a corner. He pointed to the building on the corner. “That’s the grammar school. Kids get bused to the neighboring town for high school. The building across the street is the police station.”

“So having the police station across the street keeps the kids out of trouble. “ “Not really, it helps that Simon is the little league coach.” “Simon? Is he a policeman?” “Actually, he’s the sheriff. I’m sure you’ll meet him. He’s a pretty decent guy.” She would do her best to met him. If someone was looking for her, he would be able to find out. She noted a diner, a quick mart, a clothing store and a local library on one side of the street. The other side held several smaller stores including what she assumed was a beauty parlor. Not much else could be named Chop and Curl, next to that was a drugstore. It was a small town with the other streets in town running on either side of Main Street, as TJ explained it. Everyone on the street waved to them as they drove by. TJ pulled down a side street and parked in front of a red brick house with a sign on it. D. Fletcher MD. TJ came around and opened the truck door for her. “Did you see anything?” He asked as he helped her stand on her crutches. “What?” She was concentrating on getting her balance and not what he was saying. “You were scouring the roadside as we drove. Did you see anything that sparked a memory?” “No. I wish I had.” She felt tears threatening but fought them back. She had worked herself up into thinking something on the ride into town would stir a memory or three and she’d discover who she was. When it didn’t happen she was disappointed, but only temporarily. This was not a big town, sooner or later something or someone would show up that would jar her memory. “Let’s deal with what we know we can fix right now. Can you walk to the other side of the house? That’s where the office is. Doc keeps a wheel chair in the office and I can go get it.”

“No, I can make it.” She hated feeling helpless and would not start giving into it now. “Okay, let’s go. If we stay out here much longer Ada will be busting through that window. She’s probably on the phone to her sister describing what she can see of you.” “Ada’s the town gossip?” “One of them, small towns are known for their gossip queens.” “Then it’s probably a safe bet to assume I never lived in a small town.” She nodded toward the office door. “Lets get this over with.” Ada met them at the door, a big smile on her face. “Hey, TJ, you handsome thing. How you doing?” Mattie smiled, the woman had to be close to 60, too old for TJ. Of course, that didn’t stop her from flirting. Bright red hair, probably thanks to her hairdresser, framed a round face. She wore big glasses, the kind that threatened to overtake your face and earrings ran up each earlobe, Mattie counted three on one side and four on the other. Her uniform dress was short, too short for someone her age. She reminded Mattie of a pixie, an old pixie, but a pixie nevertheless. “Doing good, Ada. How’s things?” “Fine, TJ, just fine.” She stepped aside to give Mattie room to enter the office. “So, you’re the woman everyone in town is talking about?” “I don’t know about that.” Mattie leaned on her crutches and held a hand out slightly. “I’m sorry but I seemed to have lost my memory. Until I remember, we’ve decided on Mattie.” “Mattie?” The little pixie eyes looked her over and nodded. “Fits, you look like a Mattie.” “Thanks, I think?” Mattie turned to look at TJ. Before he could say anything to her, Doc Fletcher came out of her office.

“Good, you made it.” She came over to Mattie. “You managing to get around on those crutches?” “So far, thanks.” “Great, lets go take some pictures and see what exactly happened to that leg. Ada, I’ll need you to help me here.” She steered Mattie toward an exam room. “TJ, why don’t you go find Simon? You can hangout at his office and do guy things. I’ll call over there when I’m done.” Summarily dismissed, TJ headed down to the Sheriff’s office. He decided to leave his truck where it was and walk. Comfort may be a small town and Main Street was not that long, but it took him a while to walk the distance between Doc Fletcher’s office and police headquarters. Mostly because he got stopped by everyone he saw. People were out enjoying the warm spring day and they all wanted to know about the mystery woman who was the talk of the town. As soon as he entered the police department, he felt as if he’d been dropped into a war zone. It looked more like a weekend night in a big city police station then a weekday afternoon in sleepy Comfort Maine. Phones were ringing non-stop. Kitty, the dispatcher had her headset on and furiously wrote down whatever the person on the other end was saying. Theo, one of the deputies was on the other phone, arguing with someone. Simon Calhoun, the sheriff was gesturing wildly at TJ. He entered Simon’s office and closed the door, significantly decreasing the decibel level as he did. Pulling a chair over, he sat down in it, lifting his legs up on the desk. “What the hell is going on here?” “Plenty! I think we may have found the car that your little amnesiac was riding in.” TJ shook his head. “She’s not my little anything!” “You’re the one who found her.” He silenced TJ with his hand before he could even protest. “We found a car down in the lake by Johnson’s place and

thought she might want to see it.

Maybe it would help her remember

something.” “No.” Johnson’s place was directly across the lake from his, but that wasn’t the reason. “What do you mean no.” “Just what I said. I don’t think that’s a good idea, not right now.” “Why not? Don’t you want her to get her memory back?” “Of course I do. I just don’t think this is the right time for her to face that spot, not yet. It may do her more harm than good. She’s down at Doc Fletchers right now, getting checked out.” “Good. Debbie will be able to tell us more about her condition. She’ll have to see it sooner or later.” “I know that! I’d rather she face it later, when she’s stronger and better able to cope with it.” “She may not have a choice.” TJ dropped his feet to the floor. Something in the tone of Simon’s voice caught his attention. “What did they find?” “A body in the trunk of the car.” “Who?” His heart sank, had Mattie traveled with someone? What happened? Did they argue? Were they attacked? The last had to be the only answer. The woman he knew would not kill. Unless they had tried to kill her. “Have you seen the body yet?” “No, I was getting ready to head out there when you showed up.” “Do we really need her with us when we go up there?” Simon looked at him for a few minutes. “Let me call Debbie and see what she has to say about it. Since the car is going to your garage, we can have her look at it there. As for the body, until they can send an M.E. up from Augusta, that’s one bad boy that’s not going anywhere.”

“Thanks, pal.” TJ hoped Debbie would back him up. If Mattie saw the car and remembered everything she might even figure out who TJ really was. That could get sticky in front of the crowd he was sure had already gathered. You could bet Mattie’s temper hadn’t mellowed with age. It took a lot to make her angry but you didn’t want to be around when that happened. Simon hung up the phone and reached behind him to grab his hat off the shelf behind his desk. “Okay, she agrees with you. Ada’s going to drive Mattie back to your house.” The sheriff grabbed his jacket before motioning TJ out the door. He stopped to talk to his deputy. “Theo, TJ’s going to ride up with me. I need you to go up to his garage and grab the tow truck. “ TJ passed the keys to the deputy and followed Simon out the door before Theo could even answer. They took off down the same road TJ had driven not an hour ago. The car had been pulled out of the lake and the volunteers all stood around gawking and touching it. “Damn fools.” Simon said as they pulled up, you’d think they’d never seen a car before. Even through the mud and the slime, TJ would know that car anywhere. A red mustang her brother Colin had helped her restore. It had been her pride and joy. “Don’t they realize her car is evidence.” “Her car?” Simon shut the ignition off and turned to his friend. “How do you know it’s her car? I thought you and she were strangers.” Now he put his foot into it. But he couldn’t start lying to Simon. “She and TJ are strangers.” Simon just raised an eyebrow. He was the only one who knew anything about TJ’s life before he arrived in Maine and the only reason he knew was because the nature of TJ’s work required it.

“Let me handle this O’Malley.” He warned as they got out of the car. “As far as these people know you’re still a civilian, and nothing else. I’d like to keep it that way. ” “So would I.” TJ agreed as he followed his friend. They were greeted by Stan Johnson, one of the volunteer firefighters in town. Stan owned the land and the lake. His truck had been the one used to pull the car out. He greeted TJ and Simon. “We sure do have us a mess here. I closed the trunk after I found the body. Hope you don’t mind, it was a little gruesome to look at.” Simon looked around the area before speaking. “Thanks for telling me Stan. Can you clear those folks out so I can have a look at things.” TJ made a wide circle around the car, looking for something, anything that would give him a hint as to why Mattie was here. “You going to tell me what you know?” Simon had come up behind him. TJ looked around. Miraculously they were alone, except for Stan Johnson who was busy loading the chain he’d used to pull Mattie’s car out, back into his trunk. He was too far away to hear them talk. “Right now, not much more than you do.” “Well, then, take a look at this.” He opened the trunk of the car, a body lay inside, bloated and barely recognizable from being in the water. “Look like any of your old buddies?” TJ thought he knew who it might be. It looked like a Hanrahan, but he couldn’t tell which one. “Kind of hard to say at this stage. If I had to guess, I’d be looking for a missing person report with the last name of Hanrahan.” “You sure about that?” Simon continued walking around the open trunk, taking Polaroids of the body from every possible angle he could think of. TJ looked at the body in the trunk, at Simon and back to the body in the trunk. “Can’t say for sure, there were a few I hadn’t met. He just may be one of them.”

Just then, the ambulance pulled up to take the body to the funeral home, where it would wait for the M.E. He’d better make some phone calls tonight and find out what he could. He and Simon helped transfer the body onto a stretcher. When the ambulance pulled away. The tow truck pulled up. Before the deputy got out of the truck Simon warned him, “If you remember anything, you’ll tell me and don’t go doing anything heroic or stupid.” “It’s probably too late for that.” TJ got busy helping the deputy get the car onto the flat bed. He gave him instructions to leave it on the flatbed when he got back to the garage. “We don’t want to disturb anything that could be evidence.” He’d go back to town and retrieve his pick up from in front of Doc’s house. Simon came up to him. “Once we’re back in town, I’ll follow you back to your place. I’ll need to talk to your amnesiac, Debbie thinks she’ll feel more comfortable at your house. He held up the Polaroids he’d taken. “I want to see if this jars her memory.” As much as he wanted to protest, TJ didn’t think Simon would appreciate it. He’d just go along and hope she didn’t remember anything. ***** What an afternoon! She’d been poked and prodded, turned this way and that, had x-rays done on just about every inch of her body. Right now all she wanted was to get back to TJ’s cabin, take a couple of pain pills and go to sleep. Debbie, as the doctor had urged Mattie to call her, had asked Ada to drive her home. Simon had called, she explained, and he and TJ had business to handle. TJ would meet her at the cabin. Which is how she found herself in Ada’s blue pick up, being given another tour of Comfort as she drove her back to the cabin. “I’m sure TJ gave you the tour already.” She had started out. Before Mattie could answer, she was off and running. “That’s the grocery store, owned by old man Graham but run by his daughter Miss Minnie. Across from that is

the diner. Run by my sister Frannie. Best cook for miles around, a bossier sister you’d ever want, but a great cook. TJ loves her Boston Cream Pie and her apple pie is to die for!” “Oh, really?” Said Mattie, not really knowing what else to say. “My, yes. Now there’s the library. Miss Cathie is the librarian and all the kids love her. My two grandchildren think she walks on water and Frannie’s grandson Tyler is there all the time, when he’s not helping out at the vet’s place. That would be Doc Hurley, he lives right next to Frannie and he lets Kyle come in and feed the animal staying there. Frannie’s a widow and she and Doc Hurley have been keeping company. He had his eye on Doc Debbie when she first came into town but she’s been hooked on Simon from day one. One of these days he may get around to making an honest woman out of her.” Mattie put her head back and closed her eyes. Doing her best to drown out the sound of Ada’s voice. She was tired and her head was not the only thing that hurt. Ada’s voice became an incessant drone as Mac went over in her mind all that she had learned today. She concluded she was no better off now than she’d been when she and TJ left the house this morning. Ada stopped the truck close to the stairs and they were greeted by Crane. Mattie rolled the window down and the dog almost bounced through it to reach her. “Down, boy!” She opened the door and waited for Ada to bring her crutches around. She assisted Mattie up the stairs and into the house, all the time muttering she didn’t understand why on earth TJ kept a large dog like that around. By the time they got into the house Mattie thought she would explode. “Do you want me to get you some water?” Ada asked after settling her on the sofa. “Then you can take some of those pain pills the doc gave you.” “Yes, please.” Normally, she tried to only take those at night, to help her sleep. Today was an exception. “Do you need me to stay with you? At least until TJ gets here.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine with Crane here. Thanks for the offer though.” Right now all she wanted was peace and quiet. She heard a vehicle pull up to the house. It had to be TJ.

Crane barked at Ada who looked at the animal as if

he were the devil himself before she spoke. “All right, then I’ll be going.” The door opened and TJ entered followed by the Sheriff. “Hey, TJ! Sheriff Calhoun.” “Ada.” TJ smiled and held the door open for her. “I do appreciate you driving our patient home.” Anytime TJ.” The woman simpered before going out the door. He shut the door and turned to find Simon standing there with a smirk on his face. “What’s your problem?” he snapped, not allowing him to answer before crossing the room to Mattie. “How’re you feeling? What did the doctor say?” She smiled at Simon, so this was the doc’s man. She liked the look of him. Turning back to TJ, she said, “I shattered a few bones in my leg, but they seem to be healing. She replaced the brace with a cast so I’m stuck on the crutches for a while longer. The good news is my arm isn’t broken, just badly bruised.” “Well, that is good news. For now you should just take it easy.” She sighed in frustration. “TJ, I’m not exactly a hothouse flower, I won’t wilt.” “Let me interrupt before you two start drawing blood.” The sheriff joined them, pulling the only other chair in the room over. “Hello there.” He tipped his hat before laying it on the table. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m Simon Calhoun. I’m sure Ada has explained who I am, along with just about everyone who lives in town.” She laughed in agreement. “Do you feel up to a few questions?” He asked. She looked at the tall man, his dark hair neatly trimmed, his uniform fit as if it were custom made for him. She could see how Debbie was attracted to him, her taste ran more toward the other male in the room. Not that anything could

be done about it. Mattie pulled herself up a little further on the sofa. The pain in her head had died down to a dull roar. Maybe reviewing things one more time would help her to remember something. TJ perched himself on the arm beside her. “Sure, I can try. But I’m sure TJ has already told you, I don’t remember anything about that night.” “Whatever you remember will be helpful.” He looked at TJ before continuing but the other man was watching Mattie totally. He just shook his head. “We pulled a car out of the lake today.” Realization dawned on her face. “Was it the same lake you found me in? Whose car is it?” She looked back and forth from one man to the other. “Do you think it’s mine?” “We’re not really sure,” Simon provided. “There’s no registration that we could see, and the license plates have been removed.” “Well, then, I guess I’d better see it, hadn’t I? If it is my car, surely I’ll remember. It might even help me remember who I am.” “Are you sure?” TJ stood. “You’re not going anywhere unless you’re up to it. The car’s in no shape to drive. It’s parked out back and will be there as long as need be.” She reached for the crutches her headache forgotten. “I’m ready!” “Are you sure about this?” Simon asked. Something in his voice made her pause. She looked over at him. “There’s something you’re not telling me.” She sat back against the sofa, letting her crutches fall to the floor. “What is it?” “Maybe you had enough for today.” TJ came over to her. “It’s been a long day for you.” Mattie ignored him, her attention totally focused on Simon. “What are you keeping from me, Sheriff? What are you afraid to tell me?”

“Do we have to deal with this now?” TJ asked his friend, frustration evident in his voice. “Deal with what?” Mattie knew her voice was shrill but she didn’t really care. “Damn it TJ, stop handling me with kid gloves, I won’t fall apart!” No, thought Simon, you definitely won’t. He didn’t know the whole history of these two but he would find out. He liked this woman, she had backbone, like his Debbie. “Okay, if you really want to know.” “Yes, I do.” Simon looked from TJ to Mattie, ignoring the deadly looks his friend was sending him. “We found a dead body in the trunk of the car.” “ Oh.” The color drained from her face. “You think I killed whoever is in there?’ “We didn’t say that,” TJ protested. “But you don’t know for sure, do you?” She looked at Simon. “Do you?” “No, we don’t. This is why it’s imperative, if you remember anything at all, no matter how inconsequential it seems, you tell me about it.” Simon stood up. “I will. Just take me to see the car.” She turned to TJ. “I have to see it. Maybe this will be the thing to bring back my memory. I can’t stay here waiting to feel better, knowing that the key to my memory may be sitting outside. If it turns out I did kill this person, then I’ll deal with the consequences.” “You heard the lady TJ.” The sheriff stood and gestured toward the kitchen. “Let’s show her.” Mattie wondered what was in the kitchen, then she remembered TJ told her there was a back door to his garage. She let TJ help her slip her coat back on and the two men helped her out and down the few steps of the back porch. The walkway to the garage was paved, which made it easier for her. It didn’t stop

her heart pounding as they got closer. Part of her needed to get it over with, but part of her was afraid of what she would find. A sports car stood on a flat bed in front of the garage. Almost totally covered in mud and slime, she could see flecks of red but no tags, not a single identifying mark on the car. She hobbled around it, slowly, searching for something that would bring those rumblings in the back of her brain forward. She had hoped to find even one thing that would help her. Something to clarify those things that were so close yet so far from her consciousness. She looked at TJ and the Sheriff. “Sorry, nothing.” Simon shrugged his shoulders. “That’s what I was afraid of. Didn’t even bring a stirring of a memory?” “Oh it bought stirrings all right, just nothing I can clearly visualize.” “Maybe this can help.” Simon took the pictures out of his pocket and handed them to her. “I’m sorry but they are rather graphic.” “These are the body you found, I take it.” “Yes. But you don’t have to look at them right now.” This from TJ who looked as if he wanted to kill Simon. “TJ.” Mattie’s tone was exasperated. “I have no idea what I did in my past live, but I hardly think I was a wallflower. I can handle it.” She took her time studying the pictures carefully before handing them back to Simon with a shake of her head. “Sorry.” “Oh well.” He helped TJ get her back to the back porch of the house. “Thank you, for even trying. I do appreciate that.” “I just wished I could remember something, anything.” She hated this feeling of helplessness. “You will, when the time is right.” Bidding them both good day, the sheriff headed back to his car and down the road. When his vehicle disappeared from sight, she turned to TJ. “Now what?” *****

Justin Andrews cursed as he slammed the phone down. “Where the hell is that woman?” His wife came over and put her arms around him. “It’s a good thing I know better or I’d be worried I had competition.” He growled and pulled her into his lap. “You don’t have to worry about anything and you know it, you vixen.” “That’s Mother Vixen to you.” She placed his hands over her burgeoning belly. “Still no word from Mac?” “No. All she told anyone was she needed to go away. She took all her accumulated vacation time and left.” “Maybe she really did just need to get away. When was the last time she took a vacation?” “Not since Danny O’Connor’s death.” He shook his head. “Something about this just doesn’t feel right.” “You know, if you two go chasing after her and she’s just on vacation. She’ll kill you both.” “But I don’t think she is sweetheart, that’s the thing. She didn’t even tell her mother where she was going.” “Then you and EZ better get to work on finding her. Right now though, you’d better get going or you’ll be late for your meeting.” She got off his lap, but not before brushing a kiss across his lips. “I have a class to teach this morning.” “Are you up to it?” “Darling, I’ve been through this twice before. I’ll be fine. Luckily, the class room is not that far from the bathroom. The way your son or daughter likes to dance on my bladder, I swear I’m in there every ten minutes.” She blew him a kiss and ran out of the room. Justin grabbed his leather jacket from the sofa he’d thrown it on last night. He’d have to fill EZ in on Mac’s disappearance. Even though she no

longer worked with them, she still managed to call one of them weekly. It was almost two weeks since either of the men had heard from her. “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now?” He wondered out loud as he left the house.

Chapter Three “I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day. Let me get you settled in the house. I want you to rest and I’ll cook dinner. Tonight, you’re in for a real treat!” “I am?” She nudged the dog with the tip of her crutch as he went in the door ahead of her. “Yup, tonight instead of leftovers you’ll get a real meal! The likes of which you may have never had in your entire life.” “Oh boy, something that isn’t frozen?” She plopped herself on the dinette bench and pulled a stool over with her crutch, lifting her leg up on it. “Maybe I’d better watch you, just to be sure this really is food you’re giving me. How do I know you can cook? I mean most of our meals have been either frozen or take out.” “Hey! I didn’t save you twice just to poison you off.” “What do you mean, save me twice?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is there something you’re not telling me O’Malley?” Oh boy! He’d stepped right into that one. “Yeah twice! I think rescuing you from Ada classifies as a save.” She smiled at him. “That woman sure can talk, can’t she?” TJ laughed. “That is an understatement.” “Thank you then, for both times.” “You’re welcome.” TJ couldn’t believe he had done something so stupid. Thankfully, she bought his half-baked story. Glad that she didn’t catch on, he

started pulling food out of the refrigerator. “I’m going to make O’Malley’s world famous, mouth-watering beef stew! Just the thing for an injured body.” “To bad it can’t help for an injured mind.” Her voice was barely a whisper and he turned to see her gazing out the window to the garage where her car was parked. A stab of guilt went through him. He could end her anguish with one simple phone call. The hell with his orders. But Frank was right, they needed to find out who, if anyone, had followed her here. She interrupted his thoughts with the last thing he expected to hear. “Thank you.” “For what?” “For not telling me I’ll remember in time” “Would you have believed me?” “I’m not sure I’d believe myself anymore.” He squatted down in front of the chair she sat on. Cupping her face in his hands he looked into her eyes. “When you’re ready, you’ll remember.” He leaned forward and kissed the top of her forehead. “Until then you can stay here.” ***** She was going stir crazy! There were only so many books she could read, only so much music you could listen to. She didn’t think she’d been much of a TV watcher. The few times she had turned it on she’d been bored out of her mind. TJ had some DVDs she had watched. But soon she’d exhausted his library. Swinging her legs over the sides of the sofa she grabbed her crutches. Crane ran over to her, tail and tongue wagging in expectation. “No, boy, you know I can’t go out. You have to wait for your daddy to come back. Auntie Mattie is housebound.”

“I knew it would only be a matter of time until you started talking to the damn dog.” She looked up to see Doc Fletcher enter from the kitchen. “I didn’t even hear you drive up! Is everything all right? TJ’s bringing me into your office tomorrow.” And she’d been looking forward to getting out. “Simon dropped me off. TJ’s working on my van and I wanted a peek at your automobile.” “I don’t know if it’s mine or not. I still don’t remember.” “The Sheriff’s office is considering it yours, unless you remember otherwise. There are no reported stolen cars matching that description.” “I wish I could remember.” She felt like a broken record. “If it is your car, all I can say is you’re damn lucky.” “Don’t I know it. I keep thinking about the body they found. Have they been able to identify it yet?” “Not that I know of, Simon’s waiting for the autopsy report to come in. The preliminary report showed a gun shot wound to the head. Whoever it was died quickly and before he ended up in the trunk.” “Well that’s one good thing.” She gestured toward the kitchen. “I was just going out to the kitchen to get something to eat. Care to join me?” “No, thanks. TJ was on the phone when I walked by so I came in to see you.” She nodded to the cast on her leg. “We’ll take another x-ray tomorrow, see how you’re healing. Eventually we may be able to get you back to just a leg brace and maybe a cane.” “Thank God for small favors. I’m beginning to think these things,” she indicated the crutches, “were becoming permanent attachments.” “No chance of that happening.” She held the door open for Mattie “Glad to hear it.” She grabbed an apple out of the bowl on the table. “I love apples. That at least, is one thing I remember.”

“Traumatic amnesia is a tricky thing. I’ve been doing some research on it.” “And what did you find? Is there a way to treat it?” Doc’s face grew somber. “I hate to disappoint you, but no. It’s one of those things that only time can heal.” She headed toward the back door. “Let me go see if TJ is off the phone. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She sat staring out the window long after the doc had left. One thought running through her mind. What if I never remember? ***** TJ finished running the chamois cloth over the Doc’s van. He wondered what the two women had been talking about. He knew the two women would get along but he thought Mattie would be anxious to get out of here by now. She’d taken pride in being such a child of the city, surprisingly, she seemed to enjoy it here. He hoped she thought of it the same way when her memory returned. He remembered the first time he’d seen her. After his parent’s death, he’d been sent to Boston to live with his grandpa. The MacCormacks lived on the same street. She’d been 10 years old, all ribbons and braces, but just as rough and dirty as her brothers. Mrs. Mac had wanted a frilly little girl, instead she got another son dressed up as a girl. He’d made fun of her at first. “Matilda, Matilda, he’d taunt her but he was the only one besides her parents who could call her that. She didn’t even let her brothers call her that. To them she was Mac, or Mattie, their pain in the butt sister who wanted to tag along. At fifteen he and Colin did not want the Matbrat, as they had nicknamed her, hanging out with them. Having just discovered the joys of the opposite sex, they were too busy to be bothered with her. He’d gone to college, then came back for Colin’s twenty-first birthday party. There he discovered Mattie had grown major league beautiful. His hormones had gone into overdrive at the

sight of her but he refused to do anything about it. She was just like his sister! But, there was that one kiss. He ran then, not wanting to give her what he saw in her eyes. He was too busy getting his career established. He would not struggle as his parents had. He would not become a victim. So he ran, to grad school then to the ATF, returning to Boston to care for his grandpa when the old man’s heart had finally proven too much for him. When he died, TJ made sure he took the body back to Ireland and buried him next to his grandmother and his parents. Mattie had been overseas, attending school for a semester in France so she didn’t attend the funeral. He had stayed in Ireland for a while, visiting relatives returning in time to attend the Mac’s Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary party. After offering congratulations to the couple who’s become his adopted parents, he’d headed for the bar. He’d been surprised by a deep feminine voice behind him. “Hello there, handsome.” The voice sounded familiar but the person speaking wasn’t. Or was she? This can’t be Mattie? If he thought she was beautiful the last time he’d seen her, now she was stunning. She wore a black gown clinging to curves in all the right places with a slit that showed legs so long they could give a man a heart attack. She had sprouted up to at least six feet and her baby fat had changed into delicious curves, in all the right places. Her curly black hair cascaded down her back and his fingers itched to get lost in it. Green eyes smiled back at him, holding promises he didn’t want to even imagine. However, it didn’t stop him from taking his time to look her over. “Connor, you haven’t changed, still thinking with the brain below your belt, I see.” “If that brain was doing the thinking, I can guarantee we wouldn’t be sitting here Mattie darling.”

“Promises, promises.” She hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Luckily, I know better than to hold you to it.” She stepped back and looked him over. “You do clean up nicely, you know that?” “Well, so do you. Colin never told me you had turned out so….” He struggled for a word. “Female?” “Definitely, female.” “In case you haven’t noticed, I am a female.” “Oh, he’s noticed.” They’d been joined by Colin. “Come on baby sister, the festivities are about to begin.” They left Daniel to find his seat. It wasn’t until after dinner that he had another chance to speak with her. As soon as possible he’d asked her to dance with him. She moved into his arms as if she belonged there. “I was sorry to hear about Grandpa, he was such a dear. I know you miss him.” “I do, even when I was away at college, we talked almost every day. But, he’s in a better place now with grandma and my parents.” “That he is.” They dance in silent companionship for a while as he tried to ignore the dagger looks he was getting from her brothers. If he was holding her a bit too close, she wasn’t complaining and he liked they way they fit together. “So, what are you doing now Mattie. You’re obviously not in high school any longer.” She laughed. “No, thank god. I’m going to Northeastern for criminal justice.” “Decided to be a lawyer?” “Hell no, I’m not the desk type, you know that. I want to go work for one of the agencies, maybe Customs, or DEA.” “You sure about that, it’s a lot of hard work and training.” “What’s wrong Connor, don’t you think I can do it?”

“I never said that. I’ve seen lots of women, some stronger than you, flunk out of training.” “You didn’t have to say anything. Other people have for you, too many, most of them male.” The music was over. “I’ve got to go. See you around.” She left him standing on the dance floor, mouth wide open. Max, Colin and Dermot grabbed him and pulled him toward the bar. “What did you say to her?” Max asked “Who?” “Mattie, you know our sister?” This from Colin, as he waved the waitress to bring them a round. “You know the one who’s had the hots for you ever since she hit puberty.” He gave Dermot a disgusted look. “I said nothing. We were talking and I asked her if she was serious about going into law enforcement. It’s a lot of hard work and unfortunately there are people who will make it even harder on her. I’ve seen it every day.” “Have you ever tried to convince Mattie she couldn’t do something?” The three men spoke in one voice “No.” He glanced up and she was looking his way. When he waved she turned her head away. “TJ.” A hand to his shoulder bought him back to reality. “Oh, Doc. Sorry about that.” He finished wiping the van down. “She’s all set. I put new brakes in her and gave her a tune up. She should be good for a while.” “Good, what do I owe you.” “We’ll settle up when I bring Mattie into town tomorrow.” He took her keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. “Fine. I left her sitting in the kitchen with Crane. That dog has really taking a liking to her.”

“That he has.

Sleeps on the floor beside her at night, follows her

everywhere. Doesn’t run in front of her like he does everyone else. It’s almost like he’s protecting her.” “That mutt is not the only one protecting her.” She got in the van and started the engine. “Purrs just like a kitten.” “What did you mean by that last remark Doc?” “You’re a smart boy -- you figure it out.” With a wave she put the van into reverse and headed out. He found Mattie just where Doc Fletcher had said she would be. In the kitchen with Crane, the dog had dug out his old baseball and was acting like a love struck teenager. A thump and the baseball landed on his foot, bringing him back to reality. He stooped, picked it up and threw it the length of the hall. He watched as Crane retrieved the ball and raced back to him with it between his teeth. “He does like that, doesn’t he?” Mattie hobbled over on her crutches. He nodded. “It’s a habit I started when I first got him. Found him abandoned during a blizzard. We couldn’t really go out any where so I started throwing the ball down the hall as a way for him to play.” “Were you always a rescuer, TJ? I bet you were the type that had tons of strays at your house as a kid.” What did she remember? He and Grandpa used to fight all the time, he wanted a house full of animals and the old man wouldn’t let him. “What makes you say that?” She shrugged, “I don’t know, just something about you. You seem to be the type always taking care of someone or something.” “The only thing I’m taking care of now is dinner.” He pointed toward the living room. “Be gone woman and let me defrost in peace. There’s a new video I received today, we can watch it while we eat.”

She stuck her tongue out at him and headed toward the other room. She got as far as the doorway when he spoke. “Mattie.” She turned, obviously exasperated, “What!” “Don’t go mistaking me for a hero. That’s the last thing I am.” “That is a matter of opinion.” She hobbled away on her crutches. Something had just happened during that conversation but she’d be damned if she knew what. The movie was a mystery and not a very good one. She figured out who did it not even half way through the film. She had a headache and just wanted to go to sleep. When he took Crane out to the yard, she got ready for bed, when he returned, she had settled on the sofa with the big quilt around her. “Sure you don’t want me to pull the sofa out?” “No, I’m fine for now.” She pointed to her cast. “I’ll be glad once Debbie says I can get rid of this.” “You in a hurry to leave?” “No, but I want to do something. I hate feeling helpless and out of control.” He knew this would happen sooner or later. The woman he knew would have died before admitting she needed help for anything at all. “Just relax, once Doc clears you, we’ll find plenty to keep you busy. You can help me do the books for the garage if you want.” “Anything, I’m tired of sitting around and doing nothing.” “Didn't anyone tell you that you are one impatient and stubborn woman.” “I don’t know, I can’t remember.” She snapped back at him before pulling the blankets up further around her. She turned her back to him, not saying a word, holding back the tears until she heard him climb the stairs to his room.

When she woke he was gone, leaving a note on the table for her. Mattie, you were obviously worn out from yesterday so I let you sleep. I’ll be back in time to take you to the doctors. If you need anything call the shop. When he closed the garage, he found her dressed and waiting for him on the porch . “Just give me a minute to change, and we’ll get going,” he said to her. “Fine.” When she heard the front door shut behind him, she made her way down the stairs and over to the truck. Somehow, she managed to get the door open and let Crane jump in before she settled herself in. He just shook his head when he came out and found them both in the truck waiting for him. She’d left the crutches leaning against the vehicle and he threw them in the back before getting in. As they drove away she spoke. “I’d like to apologize.” “What for?” “Last night. I was rude and I shouldn’t have been.” “Don’t worry, I was no better. We’re both under a lot of stress right now.” “Yes, but I still shouldn’t have behaved like that. Something tells me that would not have been my normal behavior.” You can bet that, Mattie. You would have torn a strip of my back a mile wide. “What makes you say that? Did you remember something?” “No, it just didn’t seem right and I’d like to apologize and start over.” She held her hand out to him. “Friends?” “Friends.” He took it, even though she was a big woman, his hand still engulfed hers. They rode in companionable silence until he pulled up in front of Doc’s office. She waited for him to get her crutches out of the back of the truck and bring them to her. He opened the door and helped her out to a standing position, leaning on the crutches.

He stood there, holding her around the waist, not letting go, even though she leaned on the crutches. She looked into eyes dark with emotion and just a hint of something else, a flash of something that looked somehow familiar, or did it? She found herself leaning into him, forgetting everything but what she saw there. “TJ O’Malley! So this is what’s been keeping you from my pie.” They jumped apart, like two teenagers caught necking in the parking lot. Good thing she’d been leaning on the crutches or she’d have landed flat on her face. She turned to see a short chunky woman coming up to them. TJ kept one arm around her. “Now, Frannie, you know no one makes apple pie better than you. I’d marry you in a minute except I don’t think your kids would appreciate it.” “You flatterer.” She turned to look at Mattie. “Is this the little amnesiac everyone is talking about?” “I don’t know about little,” Mattie said. “But unless there is another woman in town who can’t remember her name, or how she got here, then I’m it.” She offered her hand to the other woman. “For now, you can call me Mattie. Until we find out otherwise.” “Oh, you poor thing! How horrible that must be, to not even remember your own name, or anyone in your family. What if you have a husband and kids somewhere, I’d bet they are just worried sick about you.” Luckily, TJ prevented her from answering. “Frannie, we have to get moving. Mattie’s got an appointment with Doc Fletcher. We’ll come by the diner for something to eat when we’re done so save me a piece of that pie. That is if Mattie isn’t too tired.” “No, no, I’d love to go to the diner.” The more people she got out to meet, the better her chances of encountering something, or someone who would help her remember.

“Good, you look like you could use some meat on those bones of yours, both of you.” Frannie hustled away not even bothering to wait for a reply. He dropped her off at the doctor’s office and headed down Main Street. Pulling his cell phone out, he dialed a number and listened to it ring. No answer. “Damn!” He ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket. Where the hell was he? TJ had too many unanswered questions and he didn’t like that one bit. ***** Mattie looked at the x-ray’s that Debbie was showing her. “It’s healing, but slowly. I know you’re tired of the crutches and the cast but you need them for a while longer.” “If I have to.” Mattie grimaced. “But you’re right, I’m tired of them. I think I must have been very active before…” The doctor looked up from the chart she had been writing in. “Before the accident.” “Yes, before the accident. I can’t seem to sit still lately. TJ said I could help with the books in the garage. But I can’t imagine that will take a whole lot of time.” “You’re right about that. There’s only so many cars in this little town.” She thought for a few minutes. “Maybe we can find you something to do. No sense in you just hanging around waiting for that memory to decide to reappear.” “But what? I don’t know what I used to do, what I can do.” “We know you can answer a telephone, right? Unless you were fooling me when I called TJ ‘s house.” Mattie laughed. “Yes, I can do that.” “Good, Ada is going away to visit her oldest sister for a few weeks. Why don’t you plan on coming in and answering phones for me?” “Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. I know it’s not much, you’ll probably get bored, but at least you’ll have other people to talk to instead of TJ and that mangy mutt of his.” “I’ll do it.” For the first time since she had woken up in TJ’s house, Mattie felt as if her life had some purpose. “Good.” Debbie held her crutches out. “You’re my last patient today. Let’s go into my office, I have a pot of some wonderful flavored coffee in there. My mother sends it to me from Seattle. Maybe we can actually finish a cup before I get a call.” “So, tell me,” Mattie asked once they were settled in Debbie’s office. “Have you known TJ a long time?” “Only the three years he’s lived here. Why?” “Just curious, that’s all.” “Have you had any more headaches? What about those ’flashes’ as you call them. Are you getting those?” She nodded. “Yes, that’s why I asked about TJ -- he triggered one of the flashes last night.” “Oh, and what did our Mr. O’Malley do to cause this?” “More like what he didn’t do.” She smiled wryly. “Anyway, it just caused this flash of emotions and scenes in my brain that were a whole jumble, nothing I can really settle on.” Debbie reached into her desk drawer and handed Mattie a spiral bound notebook drawer. “Here, use this to write down what you experience when these flashes occur. I have a friend at the university down in Oren that has done some research into traumatic amnesia. She suggested it. She’d also like to talk to you if you wouldn’t mind.” “No, not at all. Maybe she can help me.” “If anyone can, she’s the one. As for TJ? He’s a good guy, tries to act tough but underneath it all beats a marshmallow heart.”

“Does he have any family?” “Not that I know of, he does go over a couple of times a year.” “Go over?” Debbie shook her head, “Sorry, about that. I forgot you don’t know a lot of the local slang. It means he crosses the border into Canada.” ”Canada, what for?” “Who knows, probably just for a change of scenery like the rest of us. I never really asked.” She looked suspiciously at Mattie. “Why?” “I don’t know, there’s something about him. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s there in the back of my mind.” “Don’t push it. When you’re ready, you’ll remember.” Doc Fletcher looked out her window. “Speaking of ready, here comes TJ now, with the sheriff.” Mattie had to smile as the doc stood up and fixed her hair in the mirror over the sink.

Chapter Four “When are you going to tell me the history between you and Mattie?” After his aborted attempt at a phone call, TJ had gone to the hardware store and then the post office. There he’d run into Simon who now accompanied him to the doctor’s office. “There is nothing going on between me and Mattie.” “Maybe not now, but there was at one time.” The two men waved back at an elderly woman who had just come out of the Chop and Curl. “Don’t try and kid me, the looks I see you sneaking at her have ‘history’ written all over them.” “You know all about history, don’t you, Simon. You and the doc.” “Let’s leave my history out of this. We’re talking about yours.” He stopped and looked quizzically at his friend. “She’s the one, isn’t she? The one you left back in Boston?” “Would you be quiet!” TJ hissed, looking around to be sure no one had heard them. “She is, isn’t she?” “Now you know why I never have more than one or two drinks.” Shortly after his arrival, TJ and Simon had spent a night sitting on his porch, drinking. Simon and the Doc had just had a big argument and the subject had gotten around to women. TJ had just enough alcohol in him to loosen his tongue and he told his friend everything except the woman’s name. “If you know who she is, why don’t you tell her?” “I can’t! In case you’ve forgotten, she thinks I’m dead. She’s better off that way.”

“So, you’re just going to let her go again.” “I don’t have much choice. Until we catch these people, anyway. They think I’m dead and if I’m dead, then she has no connection to me and she’s safe.” “That still doesn’t explain how she got up here?” “She must have gotten a tip or something that led her here. Once she gets an idea there is no one more stubborn than that woman.” “Oh, I could think of one other.” Both men glanced at the doctor’s office at the end of the street. “I just wish I’d known what the tip was that had Mattie come all the way up here.” “Mattie? That’s her real name?” “That’s what I call her. Her name is Matilda MacCormack, her brothers and most friends call her Mac.” “Cute, O’Malley.” “I thought so.” “If I remember correctly, you said she’s customs right?” “Was the last time I saw her.” “Want me to make a few phone calls?” “No, I tried calling in but can’t reach anyone. Not since that last call from your office.” “That’s not good.” “Tell me about it.” He took a card out of his pocket and handed it to Simon. “This is the man who was her boss, may still be. Anyway, that’s his private phone number. Hang on to it. If anything happens to me, call him right away.” Simon looked at it and put it in his pocket. “I don’t like this, not one bit.” “Neither do I, but I don’t see we have much choice.” They’d reached the doctors office. “I’m taking Mattie to the diner for dinner. Frannie has promised us apple pie. Why don’t you and the doc join us?”

“Sounds good to me. Let me check with her.” ***** Debbie said she would meet them there. The Sheriff wanted to wait for her so TJ and Mattie were on their own. “Let me get the truck.” He suggested when they were outside the office building. “Can we walk it? Is it far?” “You know where it is, think you can make it?” “I’d like to try.” “Are you sure? It’s longer than any walk you’ve taken so far.” “I know but I’ve gone from the car to the doctor’s office back to the car to the house. I want to see some other sites.” She laid a hand on his arm, “Please?” He knew that look on her face, he never could refuse that look. “Okay.” He sighed, “but let me get Doc to drive the truck over. In case you get tired.” “Thank you.” She waited for him as he went back to the office. When he came out he had a grin on his face. “What’s so funny?” “I think I may have interrupted something back there.” He nodded back toward the office. “What?” Then it dawned on her and she could feel her face turning beet red. “Oh!” “Glad to see you haven’t forgotten some of life’s more important things.” “Emotions are something I think you never forget.” “That’s for sure.” “Sounds like the voice of experience speaking there O’Malley.” “Could be.” “Whoever she was, I hope she was worth it.” “Oh, she was.” He smiled suggestively and turned her toward the diner. They continued on in silence. Mattie wondered if she had anyone waiting for her, looking for her, who would love her and believe she was worth anything.

Just before they turned the corner to the diner she stopped. “TJ?” “Yes.” “If I bought up painful memories, I’m sorry.” “Don’t worry, they weren’t painful.” “I’m glad, at least you have memories.” Suddenly her eyes filled up. He pulled her close and held her. “Ah. Mattie. You have memories, they just decided to take a little vacation, that’s all.” He was rewarded by a laugh. “Do you think we can call them back?” “We can try.” “Debbie has a friend at the university who wants to talk to me. She suggested a notebook to write things down when I start getting my flashes.” “It can’t hurt.” “That’s what Debbie said. She gave me one to get me started.” He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and dried her eyes with it. “Are you ready for the hottest place to be seen in Comfort on a Friday night?” “As ready as I’m going to be.” She smiled up at him. “Shall we?” A rush of scents met them as they entered the diner. All of them wonderful. “Glad to see you made it!” Frannie greeted them, pointed to a corner booth in back. “Sit right there. I’ll bring coffee over in a minute.” Thanks.” TJ led Mattie over and helped her sit down. “The sheriff and Doc Fletcher will be along shortly.” He called over to Frannie. “Good, that woman is too skinny, if you ask me.” Mattie laughed. “Does she say that about everyone?” “Pretty much.” TJ grabbed a menu from its spot between the sugar container and the napkin box and handed it to Mattie. “Take a look, but I’d go for the meatloaf, best I’ve tasted since my grandfather’s.” “I take it he was a good cook.”

“The best, except Frannie here.” He smiled at the older woman who placed a pot of coffee in the middle of the table with four cups. “Isn’t that right sweetheart?” “Don’t sweetheart me, TJ O’Malley. I’m not one to fall for your flirting ways,” He held a hand over his heart. “You wound me darling.” “You’ll live. I’d watch this one if I were you Mattie. He’s broken the hearts of most of the single women in Comfort, and probably a few in the provinces, I’d bet.” She took a pad out of her apron pocket. “Now, what can I get you folks.” “I think I’ll have the meatloaf, please.” “Good choice. TJ, I already know what you want.” “Thanks Frannie.” She hustled back to place the order, stopping to speak with Doc and the Sheriff who had just arrived. They stopped and spoke with a few people before joining TJ and Mattie. “So, you walked all the way without problems?” Doc Fletcher looked at her quizzically. “That was not a smart idea.” “Probably not, but I wanted to try. I’m glad you drove the truck over. I doubt I would make it back.” “That’s what I figured. I talked with Ada and if you want to come in Monday she’ll go over things with you.” “Sounds good to me.” “Excuse me ladies?” TJ interrupted. “What are you talking about? I thought Mattie couldn’t go anywhere.” “Debbie needs someone to answer phones while Ada’s off visiting her older sister. She asked if I wanted to come in and I said yes.” “Are you sure that’s wise.”

“Are you trying to second guess me, O’Malley?” Debbie looked over the top of her glasses at him. TJ looked from one woman to the other and then over to Simon, who just shrugged. “No, Ma’am. I wouldn’t even begin to try and do that.” “Good, remember that. Mattie told me she is getting bored sitting in the house. I need someone to answer phones while Ada is away. What better place for her to be than my office? Ada’s not leaving for at least another few weeks. I’m sure Mattie will be able to handle it.” “She’s going to help me out at the garage. We talked about it already.” “She told me. You know as well as I do that will take all of about 2 hours. You can drive her into town in the morning and if I’m unable to bring her back, I’ll call you.” TJ knew he had no argument for that so he shut up. At least the doc would keep an eye on her. The four of them enjoyed their meal, lingering over coffee and pie, which was every bit as delicious as promised. Mattie surprised herself by having two pieces. On the way back she fell asleep in the truck. TJ glanced over at her, it felt good to have her back in his life again, and it felt right. What ever made him think he would get over her? Something had to be done but he wasn’t sure what? “Ah. Mattie. This is a fine mess we have here, isn’t it?” It wasn’t until she stirred that he realized he’d spoken aloud. “TJ? Did you say something?” “Just singing to the radio. Go back to sleep, I’ll wake you when we’re home.” She looked so peaceful as she slept, he didn’t have the heart to wake her up. He parked close to the stairs and carefully lifted her out. He laid her on the sofa, managed to get her jacket off but that was it. He didn’t trust himself with anything else. Covering her with the quilt, he went out to get her crutches. He left them leaning against the table where she could reach them. He closed the

curtains and went to his room, leaving the door open a crack so he could hear her if she needed him. ***** Simon grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the sofa, propping his feet up on the coffee table. He and Debbie hadn’t even made it back to her place before her cell phone rang. Mrs. Cullen’s eight year old had been playing Superman jumping off the dresser and hit his arm. It was not the first time it had happened and it wouldn’t be the last. A few nights a week, either one or another had been called away. It gave him a chance to make a phone call he’d not had time to make before now. TJ hadn’t told him the truth, at least not all of it. He had to see what else he could find out. He didn’t want to make the call from his office. God knows the gossip mill in Comfort was bad enough, he didn’t need to add any more information to it. Turning his cell phone on, he punched numbers in and waited. Soon a deep male voice answered. “Cregan.” “They haven’t put you out to pasture yet?” “No old man, they’re waiting for you to go first.” Peter Cregan and he had been roommates in college. They’d both been recruited by the FBI but Simon had decided to move back to Maine. His father had died and his mother needed him. Peter had rose through the ranks until he was now in charge of their Boston office. They talked about inconsequential things for a few minutes, before Peter interrupted him. “So old man, what’s the real reason for the call?” “Have you heard anything about a new smuggling ring?” “No, why? Are you having unusual activity up there in busy little Comfort.” “Nope, but I’ve been hearing rumors.” “What kind of rumors.”

“One of my deputies heard there might be a new ring operating, or beginning to operate this way.” “Well, Hanrahan is still in jail. Not going anywhere soon. I heard the S.O.B. has cancer. I’ll make some inquiries and get back to you.” “Thanks, I’ll let you know if we hear anything else.” “You do that and be careful old man.” “I will.” ***** “NO!” The scream split the silence of the night. TJ jumped out of bed and grabbed his gun. He burst into the living room gun drawn. Mattie sat upright in bed, tears streaming down her face, screaming. “No! No!” Crane was running in circles around the sofa, barking. He slid the gun into the waistband of his pants at the small of his back before squatting down next to Mattie. “Hush boy. It’s all right.” He patted Crane before turning to Mattie. He framed her face with his hands. “Mattie, it’s okay. Wake up sweetheart. It’s TJ. You’re dreaming Mattie, wake up.” He repeated this until she seemed to calm down. “TJ?” She opened her eyes. “What happened?” “If I had to make a guess, you had a nightmare? Do you remember anything?” She thought about it. “Not really, just flames, everywhere, lots of sound but nothing I can identify. And no faces.” “Okay, it’s over, you’re safe now.” She looked down at her clothes then at the room. “How did I get here, the last thing I remember is falling asleep in the truck.” “I didn’t have the heart to wake you so I carried you in here and took your coat off.” Reluctantly, he let go of her. “Why don’t I let you get into a night gown and crawl back into bed.”

“Okay.” Slowly she stood up, grabbed her crutches and made her way to the bathroom. She sat down and looked at her reflection in the mirror over the sink. God, what had that dream been about? She wished she knew what had triggered it. All she remembered was fire and screams and pain, such incredible pain. She splashed some water on her face, did what she had to do and went back out. TJ had fixed the sofa up for her. She lay down and pulled the quilt up around her. “I’m sorry I woke you.” “Don’t be. Do you want to talk about it?” “I don’t know. I can’t remember anything, still no faces, no names, just images, blurred but images just the same. “ “What type of images?” “Fire, explosions, pain, lots of red.” Damn! He’d bet any amount of money she was remembering the night he’d been injured. “Do you think you’ve had this dream before?” “That’s the worst part, I can’t remember!” She began shaking and tears of frustration poured down her cheeks. TJ pulled a chair over and sat in it. While she’d been in the bathroom he’d poured her a shot of brandy. He preferred a shot of good Irish Whisky, but the contents of Comfort’s lone liquor store did not extend to such luxuries. He handed the glass to her. “Here drink this.” She took it and downed it without thinking. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” He took the glass and put it back on the table. “Do you think you could go back to sleep?” “I think so.” She leaned down and patted Crane, now settled comfortably on the rug beside her. “I have my protector here. First I want to write what happened down in my notebook, just like Debbie suggested.” “Okay.” He bent and scratched the dog between the ears. Crane looked from one human to the other, his tail thumping amicably on the hardwood floor.

He surprised himself by leaning over to brush a kiss across her lips. He smiled inwardly at the gasp of surprise she gave. “Sleep well Mattie, I’ll leave the door open.” “TJ?” He stopped at the door and looked back at her. “Yes.” “Thank you.” “For what?” “Everything.” “I’m no saint, Mattie.” “Maybe not but thank you anyway.” As he headed for his room, he heard her talking to Crane. “Now why didn’t I meet him before now?” “If you only knew Mattie.” He whispered before closing the door to his bedroom. ***** She lied when she told him she’d be okay here, alone. Well not entirely alone, she did have Crane. As if he’d heard her, the mutt came over and laid his head in her lap. She looked at the open door. She could see the door leading to the kitchen but that was it. Was TJ sleeping soundly? She bet he was. Nothing seemed to bother him. A million thoughts raced through her mind, none of them making sense no matter how hard she tried. Flashes of color, mostly red and images of faceless bodies. She wrote it all down in her notebook, not that she thought it would do any good. Why can’t she remember? “At least TJ had a good nights sleep.” She whispered to the dog as she finally fell into slumber, just as the sun started to break over the horizon. ***** What was he going to do? He should have Simon call the number he’d given. Or give him Colin’s number. Her brother would be up here in no time,

and whisk her home where she would be safe. He could hide across the border until she was gone. Or would she go? He knew his Mattie. If she had come up here there was a good reason. Maybe his cover had been blown? He had to find out and soon. Until he did, the safest place for her was here, with him. He chuckled, knowing what Mattie would say to that one. He looked up at the ceiling. “So what do you think Pa? Am I doing the right thing? Should I send her home, or keep her here safe with me?” ***** “Ok, what are we going to do about Mac?” Justin looked up as his partner entered the office. “You know it’s not like her to just take off and not at least let her mother know where she’ll be.” “Have you talked to Colin?” Justin asked. “He was the first one I called, neither he or any of the other brothers know where she is and they’re ready to form a search party.” Justin had to smile, her brothers were some of the most protective he’d seen. “Did you convince them not to? That’s the last thing we need.” “Not totally. I did get them to hold off until they hear from one of us.” “What about Customs? Did anyone there have any idea?” “Nope, the word is she just decided to take all the time off owed her.” “And she’s got a couple of months worth saved up.” “Exactly, you know that idiot Glenn won’t do anything unless she doesn’t return when she’s supposed to.” “I made some more phone calls this morning. I’m still waiting for answers.” EZ laughed. “Pulling in favors are you?” “I’ve got a few left.” “Lets hope they come through, before it’s too late.”

Chapter Five Mattie stood looking in the mirror trying to do something with her hair. She understood that Debbie had to cut it the night she’d been rescued. No one knew how long she’d been in the water and the knots and tangles were just too bad to comb out. It hadn’t really looked bad, until it started growing out. Cursing, she hobbled out of the bathroom and found TJ waiting for her. “What was that horrid noise I heard just now?” “Frustration, I hate my hair right now.” “Why? It looks fine to me.” “What do you know?” Turning around as best she could she went back into the bathroom. There had to be something she could do with this mess. A knock on the bathroom door interrupted her. “Leave me alone!” She sounded like a two year old but it couldn’t be helped. She was feeling well enough not to care what it sounded like. A second knock to the door. “Mattie, let me in, please?” It’s your house.” She opened the door and headed across the room, stopping when TJ grabbed her arm. “I’m sorry, Mattie, I was only trying to help you feel better.” “By lying to me?” “I wasn’t lying, I do like your hair. However, if you want, I was going to run into town today. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll drop you off at the Chop and Curl. Frannie and Ada’s baby sister runs it and she does a pretty good job. She does Doc’s hair.”

“You know if I didn’t know how much she cared for the Sheriff, I’d think there was something going on between you and Debbie.” “So did a lot of people, at one time. But Doc and I straightened them out. She’s a friend that’s all. She’s in love with Simon.” “And if she wasn’t?” Mattie asked, suddenly curious. “We’d still be good friends, nothing more.” “Oh.” That pleased her more than she was ready to admit. “Yeah, oh. Now, if I’m through answering your questions Miss Busy Body, can we get into town.” “Yes, sir!” She saluted as best as she good on crutches, and headed out of the room. ***** The main street of Comfort was usually busy on a Saturday and this one was no exception. Somehow, he managed to find a space near the Chop and Curl. He helped her out of the truck and into the salon, or what passed for a salon up here. It certainly wasn’t the fancy salon Mattie had used in Boston that he remembered, but it did the job. They were greeted warmly by a thinner version of Frannie. “TJ O’Malley! Have you finally decided to cut that hair of yours?’ The petite blond reached over the counter and ran her fingers through the hair lying on his shoulders. “Damn, what I wouldn’t give to get my fingers on that head!” “Now, Louise, you know if you tried Larry would have to come after me with a shotgun!” “Hush you, can’t blame a girl for trying to drum a little business now, can you?” “No, I can’t. In fact, I’ve got a little business for you.” He put an arm around Mattie. “This is Mattie.” “My, Frannie was right, you are a tall one! What can I do for you today, sweetie? Color? Curl?’

“Just a wash and trim, I think. Something to make this look better.” Mattie pointed to her head. “I gathered I had long hair and it got matted somehow and Doc Debbie had to cut it.” And it killed TJ too, remembering how many times had she wrapped that long hair around him as they lay in bed. Her hair had been the one thing she was vain about, besides her car and when she remembered she was sure to let him have it. “You just do what you have to Louise and charge it to me. How long do you think it will take?” “Well, now, TJ. You just go along about your business, do what you have to do and go have a cup of coffee and a slice of Frannie’s pie. By the time you get back, you may not even recognize her.” That’s what he was afraid of, but off he went. ***** Louise introduced Mattie to everyone in the shop. There was Louise’s mother-in-law, Mrs. King and Mrs. Stanton who ran the town library. Mary Jenkins, the assistant to Doc Watson, the town’s vet. And of course, Ruthie who did nails and Jo Beth the other stylist. “It’s nice to meet you all.” Mattie said as she slowly followed Louise to her chair “Have you remembered anything yet?” Mrs. Stanton asked. “Dorothea don’t be such a fool. Of course not. If she had she would be back with her loved ones now wouldn’t she?” This from Mrs. King. “Hush now ladies,” Louise said. “Let the poor girl alone. She’s here for a shampoo and cut. Let’s see what I can do to this chop job the doc did.” Mattie explained. “I guess I used to wear it long. Doc had to cut a lot of it off. It was too matted and tangled.”

“I bet it was, luckily it’s nothing I can’t fix. When I’m done, you’ll look wonderful. In fact, Tina, honey, why don’t you let her foot soak while I put a deep conditioner in her hair. “No, really, all I want is a cut, something to make it look good.” “Hush now. The rest is on the house. Nothing like a manicure and pedicure to make a girl feel like new. Even if she can’t remember her name.” Mattie knew when she was beat. She sat with a sigh and let Louise do her worst. Her worst as it turned out was pretty damn good. Mattie had to admit as she admired her reflection in the mirror. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, her nails were manicured and a coat of maroon red polish applied. Her foot, that one that was not in a cast, had been soaked and pampered and felt wonderful. Tina had painted her toenails the same color as her fingernails. She’d even done the few toes sticking out of the cast. She felt feminine and wonderful! And as an added bonus she’d learned more about the town and it’s residents, including the fact that no one knew anymore about TJ than she did. Except maybe Simon. The favorite item of speculation regarding TJ was just what he did for a living before coming to Comfort. Guesses ranged from the ludicrous assassin, to the obvious mechanic. “You know what Tina?” Louise said as she watched Mattie admiring herself in the mirror. “I think we’ve outdid ourselves today.” “I think so, Louise, I really do. If that TJ had any sense he’d take her out to dinner tonight, and not to the diner.” “Tina!” Mattie said in astonishment. “He doesn’t have to do any such thing.” “Maybe he’ll take her home and muss up my handiwork.” Louise teased.

Mattie felt herself turning beet red. “There’s nothing like that going on between us.”

“Maybe not yet,” Louise teased. “But you’re the first woman outside of the doc, he’s shown any interest in. And she don’t matter on account of she’s been in love with Simon Calhoun since she set foot in this town five years ago. It’s just a damn shame he hasn’t made a legitimate wife out of her.” “Did you ever think maybe he’s tried?” The women all turned at the sound of the male voice. It was TJ and the sheriff. “Afternoon, boys.” Louise greeted them as if nothing had happened. Mattie wondered just how long the two men had been standing there. If the look on TJ’s face was any indication, long enough. ***** They rode out of town in silence. Only when she realized they weren’t heading back to the house did Mattie speak. “Where are we going?” “I’m taking you out to dinner.” “You don’t have to do that! I did not put the ladies up to that.” TJ pulled over to the side of the road and slid the truck into park. “Look, I’ve been dealing with those ladies for quite a while now. I know exactly what they are capable of doing. I also know you didn’t put them up to it.” His Mattie was nothing like that bunch of hens. “We’re both hungry and I have next to no food in the house. So unless that leg is really hurting you. We’re going out to eat.” “Okay.” She seemed surprised by his sudden outburst and just as well. He had been afraid if she had continued he’d be forced to tell her the real reason he decided to take her out to dinner. When he walked into the Chop n Curl and she’d turned around, he’d been hit with a lightening bolt. She looked almost 16, which was probably the last time he’d seen her hair that short. It was also the age she’d been when his hormones had kicked in and reminded him she was not his sister.

The restaurant, actually a converted farmhouse and adjoining barn, was almost full. Hardly surprising for a Saturday night in the backwoods of Maine. This was the only place to go. They were shown a table and sat down. It wasn’t until the waitress took their order that they actually said anything to each other and then it was only small talk. For something that was not a date, it sure felt like one, TJ thought as he looked around the room. “Expecting someone?” Mattie asked him. “No, why?” “You keep looking around the room like you’re expecting to see someone come popping out. Someone you don’t want to see. Is one of your girlfriends a waitress here?” “I don’t have any girlfriends, what kind of stories did you hear today?” “Let’s see, you already know the general consensus about Simon and Debbie.” “That’s old news.” “Ok, Mrs. Stanton has to call Billie Michael’s mother. He has to pay for a book he said is ruined.” “He probably has it at home and wants to keep it.” “Everyone says his sister will tell on him. Amy Jenkins has a new boyfriend down in Oreno, that’s where she’s been spending her weekends.” “Usual gossip.” He leaned back in his chair, glad to see people were so predictable. “Anything else? Anything about me?” “Well, let’s see. There’s the speculation about what you did before you arrived in Comfort.” He laughed. “Do they still think I was a paid assassin?” Mattie smiled at him. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you that one.” “I don’t mind, Simon told me about that one a long time ago.” “I think it’s the eye patch. Some women think it’s dangerous, and sexy.”

“Do you think it’s sexy?” It came out before he even knew it. She tilted her head to one side and then the other looking at him. “To be honest, I don’t know. I assume you lost the eye in some kind of injury.” “You could say that,” he answered and hoped she didn’t press it. Luck was on his side. “Did Simon ever tell you what they’re saying about your trips over the border to Canada?” “Not recently, why?” “First they thought you were smuggling something, probably drugs. Then they thought maybe you were married and had a family over there. But Louise says no, it’s been too long since you’ve gone to the provinces.” “And what do you think?” “I don’t think you have a wife, or even a girlfriend. If you did, I wouldn’t be staying at your house. You’re too honorable.” If you only knew Mattie. “Truth is, I have a friend in Canada who supplies me with parts for some of the older cars around here. I haven’t needed any parts recently.” But he did have to call his contact up there. Find out just what the hell was going on. The waitress came then with their meal. Once or twice he would glance out the corner of his eye at her. Glad to see Mattie eating like Mattie. He kept her entertained throughout dinner and coffee with stories about the various ladies that she’d met at the Chop and Curl that day. As they drove home, well fed and relaxed, she leaned back in her seat and asked him. “So, why haven’t Simon and Debbie gotten married? It’s obvious they love each other.” She wondered if she had someone, somewhere who loved her that much. “It’s not for lack of trying on his part. They knew each other before, but I’m the only one who knows that. Simon wants to keep it that way. I don’t even think Debbie knows I know their history.”

“What happened?” “They were in college at the time. Debbie was going into research with her dad after med school. He worked for one of the drug companies. Simon was recruited by the FBI but his mom had a stroke, since he was the only child and his dad was dead, he felt like he had to come home and take care of her. He’s originally from Oreno and Debbie was as surprised to see him as he was to see her.” “Now there’s a story that just begs for a happy ever after.” Did she have one waiting for her? When they pulled up in front of his house, Crane was waiting on the porch for them, his tail wagging in expectation. TJ pulled the truck close to the stairs and put it in park. “Wait here.” He told Mattie before opening the door to be greeted by over one hundred pounds of black fur. “Down, you foolish animal. Get off me.” But his harsh words were negated by his playful rubbing of the dog’s ears. Mattie smiled in spite of herself. The big tough mechanic was really a pussycat --especially when it came to animals, and all wounded creatures. She thought when she looked down at her own cast. “You ready?” He had opened the door and reached behind her for her crutches. Helping her out he waited until she had the crutches properly positioned before stepping back. Crane walked beside her, slowly, as if guarding her from any danger. She looked from the dog to its owner and back again. “My guardian angels.” TJ muttered something under his breath as he helped her climb the few stairs to the porch. “What did you say?” She turned to him, the lone light bulb over the doorway illuminated her face. A face he knew intimately, every single inch of it. Just like he knew the body and loved it all. He framed her face in his hands and leaned close to her,

until his mouth was just inches away from hers. “You’re the angel.” He whispered before brushing a kiss almost reverently across her mouth. He then opened the door and held it so she could go in ahead of him. “Me, I’m broken.” He whispered so low she almost didn’t hear it. Yes, but some broken things could be fixed. However, did she have the right to do that? She was broken herself and until she remembered who she was and how she got there what right did she have to anything else? But unfortunately she was falling in love with him. It was reckless. She knew she shouldn’t, but she had come up here for a reason. What if he was it? Long after he’d gone to bed, she lay awake remembering that one kiss. *** “You should have seen the look on his face. I now know what is meant by the term polaxed.” Simon hugged Debbie, drawing her closer to him in the bed. She looked up at him. “About the way you looked when you walked into my office and found out I was Doc Henderson’s replacement?” “You sure got that one right. The last time I saw you, you were full of plans that you and your Dad had made. You were going to join him in his research.” He wanted to kick himself as soon as he opened his mouth. Her face took on the shadows that appeared whenever her father was mentioned. Cupping her chin in his hand, he tilted her head so that their eyes met. “Earth to Doc Fletcher.” “Sorry babe. I guess I was lost in what could never be.” He brushed a kiss across her lips and scooted down in the bed, taking her with him. They lay there for a few minutes, just enjoying the feel of each other’s body. Simon broke the silence first. “You know, your mother’s right. Sooner or later, you’ll have to face it.” She stiffened against him. “Face what?”

“Whatever it is your mother is holding for you. Whatever it was that happened between you and your dad when that drug scandal broke. The reason that drove you up here to this tiny little town of Comfort.” “I told you, after he died, I didn’t want to stay in research. I liked the name of the town and I didn’t think you lived anywhere near here. I figured you’d already be married and have a few kids. The fact that you weren’t and that you still loved me, was an added bonus.” He’d taken that conversation as far as he could, for tonight. Covering her body with his, Simon kissed her tenderly, stroking the flames that had always laid between them even in college. Some day she would tell him what had happened between then and that day her father had killed himself. Just not right now. ***** A light shone from the garage office. TJ had been spending most nights in there after dinner. He said he was working on some cars. Curiosity got the better of Mattie, as she grabbed her crutches. Since she’d already been back there once before with TJ and Simon, she knew she should have no problems walking. Standing she looked over at Crane. “Come on boy, let’s go see just what keeps him in there at night.” The dog wagged his tail and gave a bark before following her down the hall. When they got to the kitchen, she could see the building that housed the actual garage. She reached up to open the door and stopped. TJ and another man came out of the garage. There was no car or truck parked outside the garage, so where had this man come from? Crane growled and bared his teeth. “Hush boy.” She cautioned him, watching as the two men shook hands. TJ came toward the house and the other man headed on foot to the road behind the garage. He seemed surprised to see her there when he opened the door. “I thought you’d already gone to bed.”

“I came out to get some water, and Crane needed to go out.” “Oh,” he opened the door and the dog ran out like a shot, barking loud enough to scare off any animal within ten miles. She took a glass down and filled it with water from the tap before speaking again. “Did I see someone in the garage with you?” “Someone who wanted me to do some repair work for him.” She looked at the clock on the wall. “At this hour of the night? Did he break down somewhere?” “Yeah, out on the road to town.” “Then why was he walking into the woods, away from the road?” “It’s a shortcut to his house.” Damn when he’d called Gaspar, he didn’t think there would be a problem. He should have known better. The next meeting would have to be somewhere else. Mattie finished her water and put the glass in the sink. She looked at him, wondering if she should push it. Probably wouldn’t do her any good. She’d just have to keep her eyes and ears open until she could talk to Debbie, or the Sheriff. “I’m tired, think I’ll head back to bed.” “Good idea. I better go find Crane before he gets into a fight with a skunk, or worse.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Yuck.” Positioning her crutches, she slowly made her way across the room. She turned at the doorway to find him watching her quizzically. “What? Do I have dirt on my face or something?” “Not a thing. Sleep well Mattie.” Once again sleep was hard in coming. TJ had lied to her. No one would be out at this hour of the night. That man had to be looking for more than just a repair job on his car. Who was he? And more importantly, what was TJ keeping from her?

Chapter Six She sat on the back porch enjoying the rare spring day, trying to read a spy novel. The sound of birds were interrupted frequently by the sound of loud cursing coming from the garage. Crane came over and laid his head in her lap, looking up at her with soulful eyes. “I know, it’s pitiful.” She grabbed her crutches and stood up. “Come on Crane. Let’s go see what has him so riled up.” Slowly she made her way across the yard. She found TJ sitting at a desk, surrounded by papers. His jaw was tense, his eyes narrowed and she could hear him muttering to himself in a different language. He told her it was Irish and he tended to lapse into it when he was upset. “What’s the problem?” She asked quietly, not sure if he would welcome the intrusion. He stood up. “What are you doing down here? Should you have walked this far by yourself?” He went and helped her over to the chair he’d been sitting in. The only one in the entire room. “Do you need something?” “I’m fine, thank you. I think you’re the one that needs something. All I can hear is these strange loud noises that I assume are curse words. I came to see what was wrong.” He looked up at her and gave a twisted smile. “Never could balance my checkbook no matter how hard I tried. I’m hopeless with numbers.” She had to laugh. “A man who admits he can’t do something?” “Very funny.”

She picked up the stack of papers sitting on the desk and looked at them. “I told you I could do these. Let me take a stab at it. Maybe I was an accountant in my other life.” He waved his hand over the desk. “Be my guest.” His Mattie had always been good with numbers, if anyone could make sense of things, she could. As she pored over the papers she felt good to be able to remember something. The sheets seemed familiar and she soon lost track of time. It wasn’t until TJ placed a mug of tea in front of her that she looked up. “Have you always been such a lousy record keeper?” “Define lousy?” “Look, I may not remember my name or where I’m from, but I remembered that you need to have some kind of system to this. Maybe I was an accountant after all, who knows.” She grabbed her crutches and stood up, wincing as she did. “You okay?” She nodded, just stiff from sitting out here so long. “It’s still cold out here, even with the heater. I’ll move the paperwork inside. You can work on the computer in there.” That was when she noticed it, the tarp covering something at the back of the main work area. “What’s that?” She nodded toward it. “Your car, I’m trying to restore it.” “But we don’t know if it’s my car.” “I’m going on the assumption it is. If we find out it’s not then I’m sure we can find someone who wants a bright red mustang.” Her head snapped around to look at him. “What did you call it?” “A mustang, why? Does that mean anything?” He walked over and placed his hand on her shoulders she looked pale. “Did you remember something?”

“Maybe, when you said red mustang, I got a flash of an image but I can’t quite focus on it. Damn!” She kicked a box with her good foot. “Why can’t I remember?” “Shh.” TJ wrapped her in his arms. “If I knew someway to bring your past back to you I would.” It was a lie and he knew it. All he had to do was make one phone call and her past would come flying up to meet her. But he was selfish, he didn’t want to let her go yet. She pulled away and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.” She hobbled away on her crutches before he could say another word. He touched his cheek where she had kissed it and watched her go back to the house, feeling like the lowest slime on the face of the earth. ***** Next day he and Simon sat in the sheriff’s office, drinking coffee and eating some of Frannie's homemade cinnamon rolls. “So, you still haven’t been able to get hold of Burke?” Simon asked. “Nope, I can’t and frankly I’m worried.” He started pacing the room. “Gaspar was here the other night and he’s not seen or heard from Burke. This is not a good sign.” “No, it’s not.” Simon agreed. “I have a few contacts in Boston, want me to see what I can find out?” “Not yet, but thanks. I’m going over for a few days to see what I can find out.” “What about Mattie? You’re not going to leave her alone, are you?” “Hell no, but I can’t very well take her with me, can I?” “No, guess not. So what will you do?” “I’ve already been over to talk with Debbie and she’s agreed to let her stay with her for a few days. “Cutting into my love life, are you?” “Don’t worry, you can make it up to her when I return.”

“Another one you owe me for O’Malley.” “And I’m sure you’ll make me pay well for it.” “Count on it.” ***** Two days later Mattie sat down on the living room sofa at Debbie’s place. Crane had made himself comfortable at her feet. “Thanks for letting us stay Debbie. Although I can’t imagine why TJ’s so insistent on rebuilding that car. He said he had to go up to Canada. It was the only place he could find what he needed.” “Nonsense. It’s no problem. I’m happy for the company. Besides with Ada leaving tomorrow you won’t have to worry about getting back and forth.” “You’re sure Simon doesn’t mind?” “No, Simon doesn’t mind.” Crane barked and ran over to greet the two men entering the room. “He doesn’t mind at all.” “And even if he did, this is my house, not his.” “Yes Ma’am.” He kissed Debbie on the cheek. “I know you love me anyway, sweetheart.” “All right you two, knock it off.” TJ indicated the bag he was carrying. “Where do you want this?” “In the guest room,” Doc Fletcher pointed down the hall. “Last room on the left.” “Guess I’d better get back to the jail before crime in town runs rampant. I’ll be back later. I’d like to take both you ladies out to dinner. Let every man in Comfort drool in jealousy when I walk into the diner with the two prettiest women in town.” TJ came out of the room. “Can’t leave you alone for two minutes, can I Calhoun, before you start moving in on the ladies.”

“Just doing my duty as I see it.” He kissed Debbie and waved at Mattie. “I’ll see you two tonight.” TJ came over to Mattie. ”Are you sure you’re going to be all right?” She nodded. “I’ll be fine, really.” Like TJ’s house, it was all on one floor so she didn’t have to worry about stairs. “Besides you’ll only be gone a few days, right?” “That’s right.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “See you soon.” Reaching down to pat Crane and admonish the dog to watch over her, he was gone. ***** Simon waited outside, leaning against his car. “Did you try to contact Burke again?” “Yup, last night and still no luck.” He removed his cap, combed his fingers through his hair and put it back on again. “Something doesn’t smell right.” “I know what you mean. What about your friend?” TJ shook his head. “I’m afraid to take the chance. I’ll head for his place when I get there.” “Okay, be careful, I don’t want to have to explain anything to Mattie.” “Trust me, the only one explaining anything to Mattie is me.” “She’s in love with you, you know that?” “No, she’s not. Or if she is, she’ll hate my guts once she remembers everything and realize what I did to her.” “I don’t know about that.” “Trust me, I know our girl. Probably better than she knows herself.” He got into his truck and started it up. Rolling his window down he waved to Simon. “I’ll drop by as soon as I get back into town and let you know what I find out.” Simon just watched him drive away and shook his head.

***** Mon dieu, he was tired. Gaspar Fontaine walked up the stairs to his apartment. Stopping at the second floor landing, he looked around before pulling his weapon out of the shoulder holster hidden under his jacket. By now, his puppy would be barking, but there was nothing. Silently, he made his way to the third floor, opening the door to his apartment and hesitating a second before entering. The room was empty. “You really need to get a better alarm system.” TJ walked in from the kitchen, followed by a German Shepard puppy. “This one is too damn friendly.” The dog barked and bounded across the room to it’s master, tail wagging. Gaspar holstered his gun and removed his jacket. Taking one of the bottles of beer offered him, he sat down. “Garcon, you stupid canine. You’d betray me for a piece of beef.” “Ah, not just any beef, my friend, your mama’s roast beef.” “You fed this animal mama’s roast beef? You’d better pray she doesn’t find out. Yours is not the only funeral I’ll be attending.” “Funeral?” TJ didn’t like the sound of this. Gaspar nodded toward the door. “It’s time for Garcon's walk.” He grabbed his jacket and the dog’s leash. “Join us.” TJ nodded and followed him out the door. Silently they went down the three flights of stairs and out the building. It wasn’t until they were in the park that his friend spoke. “People are looking for you, my friend.” “Who? I’m supposed to be dead. Burke, you and one other person know I’m alive. I’ve been trying to reach Burke for days without luck.” “Burke can’t even help himself now.” Understanding dawned on TJ. “The funeral?”

Gaspar nodded. “Two days ago. He was found dead in his apartment, the morning after my last visit to you. The official cause of death is self-inflicted gun shot wound.” “That’s bullshit. He’d no more eat a bullet than you or I would. He loved his job.” “You know that and I know that. How long ago did you try to contact him?” “Yesterday was the last time. At the same number. I got no answer.” “I’d say we have a serious problem here. I think we have a mole.” “Looks like it. At least word about something has hit the streets. There’s something I didn’t tell you the other night.” He proceeded to tell Gaspar about Mattie, everything from the time he found her until he left her yesterday. “You think she knows something?” “Yup, whoever beat her wanted her dead. Came damn close to it. But she’s one stubborn lady.” “She’d have to be to love you.” TJ ignored the comment. “But she thinks I’m dead. I have to find out what or who sent her up here before she remembers everything. If she knows I’m alive she won’t leave. If she doesn’t leave, she isn’t safe. If word gets back to the Hanrahan’s that I’m alive…” He didn’t have to finish the sentence. “Then there is only one thing to do. We must finish our job before anyone even finds out.” “If only it were that easy.” `The two men began walking again. Instead of turning back to his apartment. Gaspar motioned TJ to turn the other way. “How long will you be here?” “For a few days, I have to pick up some car parts.” “Still playing with cars, I see.” “Hey don’t knock it. It helped you break that car theft ring, didn’t it?”

“Yes, but you can’t stay with me, it’s no longer safe. I’m taking you to my brother’s bed and breakfast. You’ll be safe there. If someone is looking for you, my place will be the first place they check. I’ll find out what I can and get back to you.” They stood in front of a nineteenth century building. A sign proclaimed Chateau Fontaine, the finest B&B in Canada. “I see your brother has your sense of modesty.” TJ teased as he followed his friend inside. ***** Mattie sat down across from Debbie and Simon in the diner. They placed their order with Frannie and waited. A few people came by their table to talk to Simon, or Debbie. Frannie’s sister Louise stopped by to inquire after Mattie. Hoped she was healing well. “I really like it here.” Mattie said after Louise had left them. “I’m going to miss it once I go back home.” “Oh? You planning on leaving us any time soon?” Simon teased her. “No, but surely I’ll remember one day, or someone will inquire about me. I mean I must have some family somewhere.” “I’m sure you do. And I’m sure they’ll find you. If you don’t remember them first. You’ve only been here a few weeks.” Debbie reminded her. “I know, I know. It’s just so frustrating some times. I feel like an invalid. I can’t even be left on my own.” “Would you rather the alternative?” Simon said. She shuddered, thinking about the car and how it looked when she first saw it. If that was her car and if she had been inside, she would certainly not be sitting her today. “No, not really.” Just then Frannie came to the table with their meals and they limited conversation to the tiny things that made up everyday life in Comfort. Back at Debbie’s house, they sat down to coffee and some of Frannie’s apple pie they had bought home from the diner.

“I wonder what TJ’s doing now?” Debbie mused. “Probably sitting at a bar, flirting with some sweet young thing.” “Is that why he goes to Canada?” Mattie asked. “Does he have a girlfriend over the border?” “He wants everyone to believe that. But I doubt it. I don’t think TJ O’Malley will let anyone into his heart. Not now?” “He’s been hurt,” Mattie said, it was a statement more than a question. “Did he tell you that?” asked Simon. “No, not in so many words. Mostly by his actions. I just get the impression of someone afraid to let anyone get close to him. Afraid of what they’ll find out.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Very impressive. Are you sure you weren’t a shrink in your other life?” “Who knows what I was? For all I know I could be that woman who hurt him.” Simon started choking on his coffee. Debbie grabbed the cup and gave him a few good whacks on the back. “Are you all right?” Mattie asked wondering just what had got into him. “Fine.” He said reassuring her and the doc. “Just swallowed wrong, I guess. But I’ll be all right.” He took Debbie’s hand in his. “Really I will, Doctor, trust me.” Watching them, Mattie wondered once again, did she have someone who loved her, who was worried about her. Who waited for her to come home? Feeling very tired suddenly, she grabbed her crutches and stood up. “I think I’ll go to bed. I’m tired. Thanks for dinner, Sheriff.” “Please, call me Simon.” “Okay, thanks, Simon.” She turned to Debbie. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I left everything you need in the room. The bathroom is right across the hall. If you hear the phone ring, just ignore it. I’ll pick it up in my room.” “Will do, good night.” She hobbled her way down the hall, managed to get a nightgown on and into bed with very little difficulty. After sleeping on the sofa bed, the big down bed felt like sleeping on a cloud. Crane trotted over and settled down on the floor beside her. Leaning over to scratch him between the ears, she stared out the window looking at the brightly-lit night sky with the full moon. “I wonder where your daddy is,” she whispered. Even though she shouldn’t, she hoped it was not in the arms of another woman. ***** TJ found the parts he needed for the car, and spent two more days with Gaspar's brother. It wasn’t until the morning he was getting ready to leave that Gaspar showed up again. “Where have you been my friend?” he asked. “Trying to find out what I can.” “And…” “I’ve found out plenty. Tommy O’Neal’s been seen in town. “ “Shit, I was afraid of that. He disappeared after that night when Bobby died. I knew he wouldn’t stay away long.” “Rumor has it he’s running something through Maine and New Hampshire or Vermont, down into Boston.” “What kind of something?” “A little bit of this and that. Mostly drugs and guns.” “And?” “He’s bragging about getting back in good with Mike Hanrahan. At least I think its Mike he’s talking about. He told my informant it was an ’old friend in Boston’.“

“Gotta be Mike, but I don’t think Mike will do him much good. Do you think he killed Burke?” “You know what I think. Question is, can we prove it?” “We’ll do our best. I’d better get back. If it is him, no telling what he’ll do. Be careful my friend, you hear me. Send me a message if anything else comes up.” “Okay. You as well. According to this stooge our friend is tress foule.” “Thanks for the warning, I can handle it.” He got into the truck and started it up, heading back home. ***** Back in Comfort, TJ walked into the sheriff’s office. Ignoring the few people there he went straight through into Simon’s office and shut the door. “I think I know why Mattie came up here.” “Oh?” Simon put the report he’d been working on to one side and leaned back in his chair. “What did you find out from your friend over the border.” “Burke is dead.” “What the hell!” Just then the phone rang. “What!” He bellowed into the receiver. “Oh great! Stay put until I get there.” He said and hung up. “As if you don’t have enough problems.” “What?” “That was Roger Thompson, he was doing a patrol by your place and he said it looked like your garage had been broken into. You didn’t have anything valuable there, did you?” “Other than my tools, no.” “Good, come on, let’s see what the damage is before you bring Mattie back there.” “Who said I’m bringing her back, it might not be safe enough. “ “I’d like to see you keep her away.”

TJ didn’t even bother to answer.

Chapter Seven “Do you think TJ will be back today?” Mattie asked the doctor who had been writing in the file of the last patient she had seen. “You never know with TJ. He used to head over the border every few weeks. This is the first trip he’s made in a few months. No one knows why. No let me change that. I believe Simon knows why but he’s not telling. For all we know TJ may have himself a wife and a few children over there waiting for him.” “He told me he didn’t.” Mattie said telling Debbie about the conversation they’d had the night he took her to dinner. “Besides, I’ve seen the way the gossip mill works around here, someone would have found out by now if he had.” “No one in this town knows anymore about TJ than he wants us to know.” “Not even Simon?” “Well, maybe Simon, but he’s not telling anyone, not even me. But then he’s always been good at keeping secrets.” “Is that the voice of experience speaking?” “None of your business.” “Seems to me that Simon is not the only one with secrets in this town.” Mrs. Jenkins came into the office with her year old twins complaining of earaches and that ended any further conversation. ***** “Damn!” TJ swore. There were papers, tools, and just about anything that had been on a shelf strewn everywhere in the office. He was glad he’d

moved the computer in the house. Mattie’s car had been attacked with a sledgehammer. He doubted anything could save it this time around. “Looks like maybe some kids came from over the border looking for a little money and got upset when they didn’t find it.” This from Thompson, the deputy who had called it in. Not for the first time Simon cursed Jack and the bad back that had put his long-time deputy out on permanent disability. He glanced around the room and then at TJ who watched the proceedings with amused interest. “Maybe Roger, but why destroy the car?” “That’s what I can’t figure out.” “Neither can I.” TJ stepped away from the wall. “As far as I can tell nothing is missing but the car is ruined. Did you check the house Roger?” “Not yet sir.” He looked from his boss to TJ and back again, not really sure who he should get his orders from. Simon spoke. “Why don’t you go check the house, son.” “Yes, Sir!” He saluted and practically ran into the house. “What did you do to the poor boy?” TJ asked smiling at the retreating form. “Not a damn thing. He’s read one to many cop mysteries and seen one too many old cop shows on TV.” “Why’d you hire him?” “In case you haven’t noticed, this town is hardly a teeming metropolis. Good help, any help is hard to find. Besides it’s not like this place is a hotbed of illegal activity. Until now.” TJ grimaced and threw the tarp over the car. “This was not a robbery. Someone knows Mattie is here. They wanted us to know they knew.” “Do you want to tell me anything else about your trip? Before Roger gets back.”

TJ gave him the condensed version of what had happened to Burke. At least what little he knew from Gaspar. “And your friend is now under watch?” “He didn’t say that but I got the impression he was, yeah.” “This doesn’t sound right.” “No it doesn’t. Especially after this,” he indicated the mess surrounding them. “I really don’t know how I can keep Mattie away, not without arousing suspicion. But I sure as hell am not going to leave her alone.” “I would think not. I seriously doubt we could convince her to stay at Debbie’s for a few more days, either.” “Not on your life. She feels like she’s intruding.” “Not only that, all she’s talked about is coming back. She says this is the closest thing she has to a home right now.” “She won’t feel that way when she remembers. Mattie’s a city girl through and through and won’t stay here, even if I was in a position to ask her.” “We’ll see.” Simon said going out to greet his officer who had returned from checking the house. ***** “Doctor Fletcher’s Office.” Mattie picked up the phone. The Jenkins twins were fascinated by her cast and insisted on inspecting it, and stepping on her toes in the process. “Hi, Sunshine.” “TJ.” Mattie knew she was grinning like an idiot but she couldn’t help it, she was glad to hear from him. “Are you home? How did your trip go? Did you get what you need?” “Whoa, slow down girl. One thing at a time. Yes, I’m home, the trip didn’t quite go as expected, but that’s ok.. I need you to stay at Doc’s house for a bit longer.” “Why?”

“I have some stuff to take care of, I’ll come in and see you later and explain everything. Okay?” “No, it’s not okay but it will have to do for now.” She waved to the doc’s next patient who had just walked through the door. “I have to go, there’s someone in the office. We’ll talk later.” ***** The back door had a piece of glass broken in it and the lock had been torn out. The kitchen was fine but the living room was a mess. Books thrown all over the floor, anything on a shelf was now on the floor and his desk had been torn apart as well as the sofa. His computer had been trashed. His bedroom had been torn apart and someone took a knife to his mattress. He knelt and pried a floorboard loose. Opening it up he took out a metal box, this was where he kept what few mementoes he had of his previous life. A picture of his parents and grandparents, Mattie and the claddagh ring. After making sure nothing inside had been disturbed he returned it to the hiding place. “TJ? Where are you?” Damn! How did she get here? He could hear Crane growling and Mattie trying her best to calm the animal down. “Mattie! I thought I told you to stay at Debbie’s. How’d you get here?” He stopped when he saw Simon and Debbie standing at the bottom of the stairs. “Sorry about that buddy.” Simon said. “I couldn’t talk her out of it. Debbie was getting ready to bring her here. They found out before I could get there to tell them. You know how the gossip mill is in this town.” “Yeah, I know.” He smirked thinking he should have known better. Once something came through the dispatcher in Simon’s office it was only a matter of time before the telephone lines were humming. He bent down and patted Crane. “Calm down boy. It’s all right.”

“Is it?” asked Mattie sitting on the one remaining chair in the room. “What happened?” “It’s a break-in, probably kids looking for quick money. Nothing to worry about Mattie mine.” She snapped her head up. “What did you call me?” Shit, the endearment had been automatic. “Mattie, mine. I didn’t mean anything by it, just sounded right that’s all. Why?” He came over and knelt in front of her. “Did you remember something Mattie?” Simon and Debbie ran over to join them. Debbie knelt down next to TJ and took her hand. “Are you all right? Did you remember something?” “No, not really. Just that name, triggered something familiar. I don’t know what but it seems to be something I’ve heard or experienced before.” She rubbed her eyes. “Are you getting another headache?” TJ asked. “Do you need to lie down?” “And where do you propose I do that?” Mattie looked around. “You have a point.” “I think I should take these two ladies back to town with me.” Simon said firmly placing his hat on his head. “Where at least we won’t have to worry about anyone.” “What about TJ? He needs a place to stay.” “I’m staying here, I have a sleeping bag. Someone has to watch the place. You go with Simon and Debbie. I’ll be in town tomorrow to get you and Crane. Keep him with you.” “No, I’m staying.” “What?” The three friends spoke in unison. “You can’t be serious.” Simon said looking from one woman to the other. “Debbie, you’re her doctor. Do something!”

“Mattie, look. I know how you feel. If it were Simon I’d be right there with him. But, you won’t be much good if TJ has to worry about you re-injuring your leg, or worse. Why don’t you come back with me just for tonight? Tomorrow TJ can fix things up and then you can come back. You won’t be any help if he has to constantly worry about you.” She stood and waited to see what her friend would do. “Who said he has to worry about me? I can take care of myself…” She looked down at her leg and realized what she had just said. “I guess not, huh?” TJ took her hands in his. “Look, let me clean this up tonight. Fix the locks and get a new bed for you to sleep in, then you can come back here.” “Promise?” He placed on hand on his heart. “Promise.” “You do realize if it wasn’t for this,” she indicated the cast on her leg, “I wouldn’t be leaving.” “Sweetheart, if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t let you leave.” He stood and handed her the crutches. When she stood he brushed a kiss across the top of her head. “I promise I’ll call you tomorrow.” “You better or I’ll be right back out here.” “I have no doubt of that.” “Okay ladies. Lets head back to town before Roger arrests the wrong person.” Simon held the door open and waited for the ladies to pass through before speaking to TJ. “I’m coming back later. You and I need to talk.” “That we do.” TJ waved as the car headed down the road and back to town. “What did you get into Mattie?” He looked up to the sky. “I may be able to protect her once again Pa, but who’s going to protect me?” He had managed to clean out the living room before stopping for dinner. About to start on his bedroom he stopped when he saw a vehicle slow down as it approached his house. Thinking it was Simon, he opened the door and stepped outside. When he did a truck went roaring past. It was too dark to get a look at

the license plate. It was a nondescript, dark, pickup truck like probably dozens others in the state and in this town. About to go back inside, he turned when another truck came up his driveway. This time it was Simon. “Taking a break?” he asked as he opened the door to his vehicle. “You could say that.” TJ answered then began to tell him about the truck that came by before him. “Hmm, interesting. I’ll have everyone keep an eye out for any new trucks in the area.” “Do that.” TJ entered the house and pointed to the cooler just inside the door. “Want a beer.” “Sure do along with some answers.” Simon grabbed a bottle out of the cooler TJ had indicated and followed him into the room. “Starting with the full story of what you learned across the border.” As he cleaned the room out, TJ filled him in on everything. Burke’s death, and his suspicions about Gaspar’s superiors. “So you don’t think it was a suicide?” “No I don’t. Burke recruited me right out of college. He was like a big brother to me. That man would no more eat a bullet than you or I would.” “Which only means one thing?” “Murder.” “But by who and why?” “I have my suspicion about that. Gaspar told me he’d heard rumors that Tommie O’Neil had been seen across the border. Word on the street was he’d set up another smuggling operation back to Boston.” “I thought he’d left the country so Mike Hanrahan wouldn’t kill him. Isn’t that what you told me.” “Apparently he’d done something to get back into Mike’s good graces. Nothing goes on in Boston without Hanrahan’s knowledge and blessing. Since

Burke set the whole task force up, maybe this was his way of evening things out.” “And if the word is on the street across the border you know it must have been in Boston a lot sooner.” “Which could explain why Mattie showed up here.” “Will she be safe at Debbie’s? I’ve grown sort of fond of the girl.” “Just not too fond, Debbie won’t appreciate it.” “She’s not the only one.” Simon looked at TJ. “She’s going to remember sooner or later. What are you going to do then?” “Hopefully I won’t be around when she does.” “And if you are?” “I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.” And pray that she’ll forgive me. ***** “Something is going on, I know it is.” “What do you mean?” asked Debbie. She had just finished a phone call from Mrs. Jenkins about the twins and the two women sat in her kitchen. “TJ is hiding something from me. I don’t know what it is but he’s hiding it.” She thought about it before asking Debbie. “Do you have any idea what he did before he moved here?” “I have no idea. I just assumed he was a mechanic, why?” “I told you there’s something familiar about him, I’ve thought that from the first day. That feeling seems to be getting stronger. I don’t know what it is, I can’t quite put my finger on it.” “Maybe because you want him to be familiar?” “No, it’s not!” Mattie denied a little too vehemently. But a little voice inside her whispered. Don’t be so sure of that sweetheart. “Well it’s a good thing. I’d hate to see you fall in love with someone when you may already have a husband and two point five kids hidden somewhere in middle suburbia.”

“I suppose your right.” But then why do I feel so miserable? That inner voice asked once again. ***** “You know you really should call her family, if you know how to get in touch with them.” “No!” TJ surprised himself with the strength of that one word. “Sorry about that. I just don’t think she’ll be safe until we know who is behind this. I’d feel better if she was up here where she’s safer.” “You’re sure that’s the only reason?” “Yes,” he stopped what he was doing and turned around to face Simon. “I’m sure.” Simon didn’t answer him immediately. “Don’t you believe me?” “Oh, I believe you, at least I believe that’s what you’re telling yourself. I wonder if you know the real reason.” “That is the real reason.” But a nagging voice inside his head taunted him with one word, liar. The next day Mattie was walking from the house to the office. As usual Crane walked beside Mattie, guarding her. Suddenly, he started growling. His fur literally stood on ends and he stopped. Mattie looked up to see a large man standing in the driveway. For some inexplicable reason she was filled with fear. But she had never met this man before, had she? “Morning, ma’am” He said politely. “Morning, are you looking for the doctor?” “Yes, ma’am, I am.” “Then you need to go around the front of this building to the other side. That’s the office entrance, this is private property.” Crane would not let her move. He stood in front of her growling menacingly at the man.

“Not a friendly dog, is he?” “He’s friendly all right, to the right people.” She patted him on the head. “I’m going into the office now, the doctor is already there. Would you like to come in?” He looked from the house to the dog and back again. “Maybe later. I’ll come back in a little while.” “What’s your name? I can let the doctor know you’ll be in later.” “That won’t be necessary.” The man turned and walked away. Crane remained by her side, teeth bared ready to attack, until he was out of sight. “Good boy,” she said, before moving on. First she would talk to Debbie if she didn’t know who the man was, then she would call Simon. TJ had gotten the house cleaned. Then he replaced the glass on the door and put in new locks. He’d ordered a new computer and sofa bed. But that would take a few days to arrive. He’d moved the bed into the front room and gotten a new mattress for it. Mattie would be fine there and he had his sleeping bag for now. Now it was time to pick Mattie and Crane up and bring them home. He parked the car directly behind Simon’s. It was not unusual to see the sheriff’s car parked outside of Doc’s office. Not when her home was in back. This would save him a trip as he had some questions for Simon. He also needed to call Gaspar. He’d doubt that Debbie’s phone would be tapped. He opened the door to find an empty waiting room. Following the sounds of voices, he found the two women with Simon in the Doc’s office. “Goofing off again. Huh Simon.” “About time you showed up.” He snapped back. TJ looked at the two women. Mattie sat in the chair with her leg up on another. Debbie sat beside her. Both of the women were ashen.

”Mattie?’ He ran over and knelt beside her. “What’s wrong?” He turned to Simon. “What the hell happened?” “There was a man…” “What man? Where? Why didn’t you call me?” This last was addressed to Simon. “I did but you had already left home. You weren’t answering your cell phone.” He kept the phone off when he was in the house and had been in such a hurry to get into town he forgot about it. He brushed a lock of hair out of Mattie’s eyes. “What happened, sweetheart? Tell me all about it.” “There was this man, big, at least as tall as I am but weighed well over two hundred pounds. Very polite though. He had sandy colored hair and a mustache and beard. Wore glasses as well. But I could see his eyes, blue and not a nice blue either. Crane started growling the minute he saw the man this morning. He, the man that is, said he was looking for the doctor.” “Whoa! You saw him this morning and I’m just finding out now? Did you get a name?" TJ turned to Simon. “Don’t pick on Simon. We didn’t tell him because we thought the man would be coming in to see the doctor. He said he’d be back, but he never gave me a name.” “Yeah, he might be back all right.” Simon said softly. ”I went to the diner late for lunch and Frannie told me a man matching that same description came in at lunch time. And he was asking her questions about Mattie.” “Me? Maybe he’s been hired by my family to try and find me?” ”If he was, why didn’t he identify himself right away?” TJ asked. “Did you notice what kind of car he had?” She shook her head.

“Frannie did. Dark blue pick up but she couldn’t get the number on the plates. They were Maine plates though.” “I wonder….” TJ muttered. “Wonder what?” He stood up and stretched his back. “Wonder if there is any connection between this man and that car that drove by my place last night.” “So what do we do now?” Debbie asked. “What if he comes into the office?” “You call me, right away.” Simon said a little too strongly. “I’m having someone stick close to this office.” “What if he comes to the house?” “He won’t, not once word gets out that Mattie is back at my house.” TJ said. “And just to be on the safe side, I’m staying with you.” Simon went over to Debbie and braced himself, one hand on either side of her desk chair. “And I’ll have no arguments from you missy.” “No sir, you won’t.” Debbie smiled back at him. “But what about Mattie? If this person is after her, you can’t leave her alone.” “She won’t be alone.” “But you can’t guard her 24 hours a day.’ “Who says I can’t.” “I do!” Mattie rose and grabbed her crutches. “In case you forgot, I’m the one who is the cause of all this and I think I should have some input here.” “Yes, you can decide if you want Crane with you when you come to the doc’s to work. He’ll know the guy is there before any of us do.” “Oh, men!” She turned and stormed out of the room. Or as much as she could on crutches and a leg in a cast. TJ found her behind her desk, sorting files. He stood watching her for a few minutes. Who would have thought that Matilda MacCormack, the woman

who wanted to be more, do more than any of her brothers, would be content to sit in a doctor’s office in the backwoods of Maine sorting files. “As long as you’re standing there, you might as well hand me the pile on top of the cabinet.” Mattie said without even looking at him. He smiled and took the pile down, placing it on the chair next to her. “Does this mean I’m not in the dog house?” “You never really were. I just hate people talking about me as if I were less than useless. Maybe this man knows something that could help me remember?” “Did you ever stop and think he might be the one or know the one who tried to kill you that night?” “Yes, I have. But I don’t think he was the one. I think I would have remembered that, wouldn’t you?” “I don’t really know. What happened when you saw him, did you get any more of your flashes.” “Not really, no. I remember feeling fear though. Like he was going to do something bad to me. I was glad Crane was there.” TJ made a mental note to get the dog the biggest thickest T-bone he could find. “All I want to do is remember who I am and where I belong!” “You’re Mattie and you belong right here with me.” He pulled her into his arms and held her. Knowing he’d be damned in his own personal hell for his omission. “Is that so bad? Staying here with me?” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “No, it’s not. But what if I have a family somewhere and I’m sure they’re worried about me.” “Hush, you’ll remember soon enough, or they’ll find you and help you remember. Are you going to come back to the house tonight?” He tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes. They were red from crying and her face was blotchy but he thought her absolutely beautiful. “I’ll even cook dinner.”

“Beef stew?” she asked hopefully. “You got it.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going back to talk to Simon. If this guy shows up holler.” “Okay.” She watched him go into Debbie’s office her hand resting on the spot that he kissed. ***** TJ knocked before entering. A good thing he did. Simon sat there looking like the cat caught in the cream and Debbie was fixing her hair in the mirror. Her face was flushed and she appeared to have been thoroughly kissed. For a minute he was jealous of Simon, his friends had found a second chance. Why couldn’t he? “Sorry about that guys.” “I’ll return the favor some day.” Simon said. Debbie just laughed. “I need to use your phone, Debbie. I need to call someone over the border.” He looked at them pointedly. “Alone.” “Sure.” Simon said. “Come on Doc, let’s go talk to Mattie.” The two headed for the closed door but Debbie stopped before opening it. She looked at both the men. “I want an explanation, and I want the truth. I don’t care who gives it but I think I deserve one.” Simon and TJ exchanged glances. TJ nodded. “Okay, let me make this phone call first. I’ll tell you what I can.

But you can’t tell Mattie. You’ll

understand why once you hear it.” “Fine.” ***** The phone rang half a dozen times before someone picked it up. “Fontaine B&B, Charles speaking.” TJ wasted no time. “I need to get a message to Gaspar.” “Ah, Monsieur O’Malley. We have been waiting for your call. There’s been a slight problem.” His heart dropped to his toes. “Is Gaspar all right?”

“Nothing a few more days in a hospital won’t cure. He said to tell you to be careful.” “Hospital, what hospital? What happened?” “Saint Vincent’s. The day you left he was attacked while on duty. He has a gunshot wound to the shoulder, a knife wound to the face and abdomen and a shattered knee. He’ll survive but he’ll have a long recovery.” “Did he say what I had to watch out for?” “Nope, he told me to tell you to remember Burke. He said you’d know what it would mean.” TJ let loose with a string of curse words he forgot he knew. “That good, huh?” “Yeah, tell Gaspar you gave me the message. Just don’t let anyone else know. Not even family.” “No one.” “How long will he be in the hospital?” “Tomorrow they will let him come home but he will stay here. Mama insisted. Someone needs to take care of that temperamental mutt of his.” “Don’t let him hear you. Okay, I’m going to try and sneak over and see him once he gets to your house.” “Can I tell him that.” “No, not yet. Take this number down and if anything happens call it. I’ll get the message from there.” He gave him Simon’s beeper number. “Okay, you take care of yourself, you hear me, boy.” “Yes, sir.” “You and Gaspar are on to something big aren’t you?” “Can’t tell you right now.” “Funny that’s what Gaspar said.” Charles hung up before TJ could reply. *****

No sooner had he hung up then there was a knock on the door. “Doc’s not in here.” Simon stuck his head in the door. “I know she’s with Mrs. Bailey checking her blood pressure.” He closed the door behind him and sat down. “So, what’s going on?” “More than you would expect.” He told him everything about Gaspar and his injuries and the message he’d left for TJ. “You think the whole thing is connected?” “Yup. First Burke, than Gaspar, you better watch it. Someone is trying to hunt down people who are close to me.” “Do they know you’re alive?” “I think someone suspects it and they’re trying to flush me out.” “So, what do we do now?” “I’m going across tomorrow. You still have the number I gave you?” “Yeah. Do you want me to call him?” “Not now, in the morning. First thing. Just let him know she’s here. He’ll take it from there.” “What if he asks what happened?” “Tell him whatever you want. He has no idea who TJ O’Malley is, he thinks Daniel is dead. By the time I get back, she’ll be back in Boston with her family.” Before Simon could answer, Debbie joined them and plopped herself down in a chair. “That woman would be fine if her daughter and those grandkids drove up from Bangor once a month for a visit. Even if they called her once in a while, she’d be happy.” She looked at both the men. “Okay, what’s going on here? You two are up to something. Am I going to get my explanation?” The men looked at each other; Simon pointed to TJ. “It’s your ball game.”

“Okay.” TJ told her why he had crossed the border, who he worked with there and the phone call he’d just made. What he didn’t do was tell her the connection between himself and Mattie. He’d explain that one when Mattie was back in Boston. ”Does Mattie have anything to do with this?” “We think so, but we’re not a hundred percent sure.” “And you’ve been undercover all this time? Why wait until now to tell me?" ”What did you expect me to do? Excuse me ma’am, but I’m TJ O’Malley and I’m undercover here in Comfort, Maine, trying to bust a smuggling ring?” “I can see your point.” She said. “So now what?” “I have to go back across, but not until tomorrow.” “So, you want Mattie to stay here?” “Not tonight. I’ll bring her home with me. Tomorrow is soon enough. Can you come by in the morning and get her?” Debbie looked at him and he swore she would see through to his soul. “There’s something you’re not telling me O’Malley. If you hurt her, I swear you’ll rot in hell.” “I know,” he said. It was an idle threat anyway. He’d been in hell when he left Mattie the first time and he’d be right back there tomorrow. ***** Mattie was glad to be going home. Funny how she’d come to think of TJ’s house as home. She wondered what it would be like when she remembered her own home finally. Would she forget everything that happened here? She’d seen a movie like that one afternoon. An old one where a soldier developed amnesia as a result of a war injury and when he remembered what happened up to his injury he forgot everything after that. She hoped that wouldn’t happen to her. She looked over at TJ and then put her arm around Crane. The dog licked her

face and she laughed. She could remember some old movie, but couldn’t remember her own name. TJ thought he’d never see the day when he’d be envious of a dog. But he was. He wanted to be the one licking, touching, caressing. Stop! He told himself before he ran them off the road. Once home, he made beef stew. He knew how much Mattie liked it and he’d never see her again after tonight. He wanted their last tonight together to be special. He lured her into the kitchen under the smells of the meat cooking. “Can I do something? I’m getting very good at maneuvering things with these crutches.” He pointed to the table. “You can sit there and watch me be domestic.” “Okay.” She hobbled over, Crane by her side as usual. He’d gotten some rolls from Frannie at the diner and one of her pies was sitting in the refrigerator if they wanted dessert. He opened the bottle of red wine and left it on the table to air. The rolls came out of the oven and were placed in a basket. The Dutch oven placed on the table and he served them both before sitting down. “Bon appetite! As my friend Gaspar would say.” “Gaspar? Is that who you visit when you go across?” This was the first time she had heard anything of his personal life and she was extremely curious. “Yes, he’s a good friend.” “How did you meet? Did you fix his car?” “I did a job for him, yes. We’ve been friends for a few years.” “I’d like to meet him sometime.” “He’d like to meet you as well. Maybe before you go back home.” He looked up and could have bit his tongue. Her eyes filled with tears and she was doing her best not to cry. “Damn, I’m sorry Mattie.” “That’s all right.” She pushed her dish away. “I’m not hungry anymore, thank you.” Grabbing her crutches she hobbled out of the room.

After putting the stew in the refrigerator he took the wineglasses and the bottle and went in search of her. He didn’t have to look far. She was sitting on the bed he had moved into the living room for her. Her arms wrapped around a pillow that she had buried her face in. It barely muffled her sobs. Crane had both front paws on the bed watching her devotedly. He patted the dog on the head. “Okay, buddy.” He sat down next to her on the bed, his back to the wall. Taking her in his arms he waited for her resistance, when it was not forthcoming he pulled her closer. “Shhh. I’m sorry Mattie. I didn’t want to upset you.” “I’m sorry. I seem to be a water faucet lately. I don’t think I’m usually like that.” You got that right Mattie. You would die rather than show any weakness. Which is what you thought tears were. “It was bound to happen, you’re under a lot of stress and meeting that man this morning just compounded it.” “I’m just tired of it. So tired. I want to remember who I am and I want to go home, where ever that may be.” “And what if it isn’t where you want to be. What if you were running away from something and you didn’t want to go back?” “Then I’d stay here, I can always find a place to live. Maybe Debbie would let me rent her room. If worse came to worse, I’m sure Frannie would give me a job waiting on tables at the diner.” “What if you have a husband and some kids?” He brushed the back of her head, letting himself enjoy the feel of her hair in his hands. “What then, huh Mattie?” “I don’t think I‘m married.” She drew her arms closer around him, burrowing herself into his embrace. His heart stopped suddenly then began at a furious rate. “What makes you say that?” He managed to squeak out.

She looked up at him, letting him see everything, all the longing and desire she felt for him, everything he thought he’d never see again. “If I did, I don’t think I’d be feeling what I feel for you. I somehow doubt I’m the type of woman to cheat on her husband.” “I don’t think you are, either.” She took his face in her hands and bent his head down until his mouth met hers. She kissed him, lightly, the barest hint of butterfly wings over his lips. “What do you want from me, Mattie?” “I thought that was obvious. I don’t know who I am, or where I belong. All I know is the only place I feel right is here, in your arms.” He opened his mouth to protest and she put her hand over it. “Hear me out. Someday I will go back to being who I am and living where I belong. I may very well be married, in which case what I am doing is wrong. But I doubt it very much. Whatever this is between us, it feels right and it feels good and I want to enjoy it for every precious minute I can.” She quickly kissed him on the mouth and pulled herself out of his embrace. Sitting next to him with her back against the wall. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked straight ahead as she finished speaking. “And if you are not comfortable with that than go back to your own bed, Mr. Thomas Jefferson O’Malley and I’ll call Debbie in the morning and go live with her.” He watched her out of the corner of his eye. God she was gorgeous! How did he ever think he could leave her? How was he going to leave her again? Unfortunately, he knew the answer to that one. He crossed his arms over his chest mimicking her. “So, you want to sleep with me, do you? Is that what you’re trying to tell me Mattie?” “Argh!” She started to scoot off the bed but before she got far he pulled her back into his arms. He was home once again, for the first time in three years. Covering her mouth with his, he tasted, no devoured her. Three years of hunger, want and need put into that kiss. When he finally let her up for air, they both

looked a bit dazed. He traced her lips with his finger, then continued across her chin and down her neck stopping at the first button he found. He seared her skin with a hot kiss. “TJ,” she moaned. “Yes, love.” She taken to wearing some of his old flannel shirts and he never knew flannel could be so sexy. “Please.” She grabbed his hands and kissed them, first one and then the other before placing them around her neck. “Kiss me, please.” “Yes, ma’am, I intend to do just that, and a lot more, before we’re through.” He took her hands from around his neck and helped her lay down on the bed. He went back to unbuttoning the shirt. “Oh good.” She said not caring how long he took, not caring about anything except she and TJ and the bed and the things he was doing to her. The shirt came off to be joined on the floor by her silk T-shirt. He almost died when that came off and he found nothing underneath it but skin. Such glorious, soft, silky skin, even more beautiful than he remembered. He leaned over and kissed one breast and then the other. Her hands slid under his shirt, branding his skin with her heat. She pulled it off and over to join the pile on the floor. Soon other pieces landed there as well. It took them a while to get her pants off over the cast, but they made it. Skin met skin, mouth and hands explored in a frenzy of lust and heat, and yes, even love. When they were naked, he looked at her, branding the image in his memory to get him through the long nights when she would be gone. Silk and satin, leather and lace, rough and smooth. Passionate murmurs and touches filled the room. “TJ! She whispered as his hands explored her body. It was as if he already knew what to do, how to please her. But how could that be?

He sat back on his knees, looking at her all flushed from his touch, her breath coming in gasps. A sight he’d thought never to see again. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve this second chance but he was not going to waste it. Leaning forward on his elbows he was poised, ready to come home, just on the brink, if he could hold off just a bit longer. He bit his lip and carefully positioned her broken leg on a pillow. He helped her into a comfortable position and lay on the bed beside her, holding her as close as he could without hurting her leg. She reached behind to touch him, to marvel at his beauty, and to help him to that place they both wanted to be. Where they both needed to be. “Now TJ.” And they were home. “Ah Mattie, my heart.” Slowly, he thrust in and out afraid to hurt her and careful not to disturb her broken leg. He cupped her breasts in his hands and flicked his thumbs over the nipples, one hand slid down to where they were joined. “TJ! “ She gasped as his hand covered her and his fingers stroked where they could. “Oh, my god.” “Let it go Mattie, just enjoy and let it go.” He whispered into her ear, his fingers mimicked what they were doing, stroke for stroke, each one bringing them higher and higher until they came to the edge and then together took that long fall over into exquisiteness. Three more times that night he reached for her like a famished beggar, until they finally fell into sleep. He woke just before dawn and lay there in the dark, holding her, afraid to move, afraid of waking her. He had to go talk to Gaspar, what he learned may end all of this. And if it didn’t, by noon, Mattie would be on her way back to Boston and her family. Hopefully she would never connect TJ O’Malley and Daniel Connor. He looked down at her. “Ah, Mattie, will you forgive me when it’s over? Will you remember me kindly?” Her only answer was to snuggle closer.

***** Simon opened the door to his office, glad the morning shift hadn’t arrived yet. When Debbie had gotten yet another call, he’d decided to get dressed and make the phone call he’d promised TJ. Taking the card out of his desk, he quickly punched the numbers into his phone. He hoped this Justin Andrews was a morning person. “Andrews!” A voice answered angrily. “This better be an emergency.” “If you know someone named Matilda MacCormack, it is.” “Mac!” The man sounded wide awake now. “Is she alive?” “She is, a little battered but alive.” Simon quickly explained things to Justin. “If you want to verify who I am, call Peter Cregan at the FBI office there in Boston. He’ll vouch for me.” “I will, if I have to be awake at this ungodly hour, I might as well have company. Now, where the hell in Maine are you?” ***** She ran down a dark alley, the sound of running men and women surrounded her. Then the explosion and then the pain. Such pain! Such heartache. Fire and ice? Where was she? Where was he? Red everywhere she turned that horrible, horrible red. Where was he? Daniel, NO!” Mattie sat up in the bed wide awake and alone. What happened? Then, she remembered, she and TJ and that wonderful night. That explained the aches she felt. TJ? Or was it Daniel? No Daniel was dead, wasn’t he? “Mattie?” She turned to see Debbie in the doorway. “What are you doing here?” “TJ asked me to come get you, he had to go across again. Something about his friend, Gaspar. Are you all right? I think you were having a dream, did you remember something?” “Yes, I dreamed about an explosion and Daniel. Oh God, he died.”

She looked up at Debbie and the other woman’s heart ached at the pain and the agony she saw there. Whoever this Daniel was, he must have been quite a man. She walked over and sat next to her on the bed. “Do you remember anything else?” “Yes, my name really is Mattie, Matilda MacCormack and I think I need to talk to Simon. She looked around the room. “I think I may have remembered something.” “Okay, why don’t I go make coffee, while you get dressed and I’ll drop you off at Simon’s office. He can help you figure it out.” “Good idea.” She scooted off the bed and grabbed her crutches. “I’ll be right back.” She headed for the bathroom, eager to get to town. She remembered why she had come up here and the town sheriff was the perfect one to help her finish her mission. Once Daniel’s killer was caught and bought to justice she could leave customs and go work with EZ and Justin. As she brushed her hair, TJ’s face flashed through her mind. Then Daniel’s, then TJ’s. No, Daniel was dead. She went to his funeral. But she didn’t see the body, did she? They’d told her it had been cremated and his ashes buried in Ireland with his family. Or had that been a lie? She hurriedly dressed, ran a brush through her hair and headed back to the kitchen. Debbie sat on the window seat , a strange look on her face. “Come on in Ms. MacCormack." A deep menacing voice came from behind the door and a rush of memories threatened to overcome her. Slowly, she made her way into the room, she knew she was in no condition to outrun this man. She had tried that once before and he’d almost killed her. “Hello, O’Neil.” She faced the man she had been chasing for three years. Tommy O’Neil was big, almost as big as the man who stood beside him. The man she had met outside the doctors’ office yesterday. “You sure you’re not related, O’Neil?

Maybe you’re mother was a

Hanrahan, there’s no way there could more than one family that ugly.” She

joined Debbie on the window seat. “Meet Tommy O’Neil, hired thug and gunrunner, the ugly lug beside him looks like a Hanrahan, I’m just not sure which one.” The man started toward her but was stopped by Tommy. “Don’t worry about it Johnny. In a little while, they won’t matter. Neither will her boyfriend. This time there’ll be no mistakes.” “They’ll always be a mistake, cretins like you can’t help it.” She grabbed Debbie’s hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry.” She whispered. “TJ can’t be far off.” “He’s on his way to the provinces. Hopefully Simon will come looking for us.” “Does Simon know TJ’s real name?” Debbie looked at her in surprise. “You remember?” She nodded, “I think so. And TJ has a lot to answer for.” “Shut up you two, while I decide where would be the best place to hide your bodies.” “What did you do to my dog?” she asked. “You didn’t kill him, did you?” “No, Johnnie wanted to, but I talked him into administering a little sleeping medicine instead.” “You bastard!” Debbie screamed and stood to go after him. Mattie pulled her back down next to her. “Smart move.” Johnnie said to Mattie, not before slapping Debbie across the face. It took all of Mattie’s strength not to go after them. But it would do no good. She just hoped Simon or someone would come by before anything fatal happened. She had just found Daniel after all this time. She was not going to lose him again. However, he had a lot of questions to answer first. If she survived this. Tommy waved his gun toward the door. “Let’s go for a walk you two. Down to the garage.”

“And if I don’t want to?” Mattie asked. He pointed the gun toward Debbie. Mattie grabbed her crutches and headed toward the door. Debbie following behind her. She turned at the door and tried to hide a smile at the look on O’Neil’s face. His partner in crime was not the brightest of the Hanrahan clan. But then neither were the other two. She remembered the body in the trunk of her car. A Hanrahan cousin, if she were not mistaken. She was not afraid, she was not panicking, she was pissed off. Maybe they would make it after all. If she could figure something out before these two decided to do something foolish. “Let’s get a move on.” Johnnie pushed them out the door and down to the garage. Placing two chairs back to back, they tied one woman in each chair, their hands behind their backs. “What’s wrong O’Neil? Afraid I might get away again?” “Shut up!” Mattie felt the cold hard steel on her temple and held her breath. “Put the gun away Johnnie, she can’t hurt us. I want her boyfriend to know she suffered when she died. Just like Bobby did.” TJ, where are you? She thought and then began speaking in Gaelic. A blessing his grandfather had taught them both once many years ago. It was the blessing inscribed inside the ring TJ had given her. The ring was probably lost in the bottom of the lake. She was able to reach Debbie’s hand and squeezed it tight, doing her best to let her know they would be all right. She was rewarded by a return squeeze and a barely audible whisper. “Simon will be here soon. I’m supposed to call him when I get back in town.” “All right you two shut up!”

“And what are you going to do O’Neil?” She began chanting again in Gaelic. “Stop that! “ Johnny Hanrahan screamed. “I want to know what you’re saying.” “Why? I thought the Hanrahans and all their cronies were the great expert on all things Irish. You’re sending money and guns and other goodies back to Ireland, aren’t you? To help the cause, isn’t it? Or is it something else. Does the idea of helping to kill innocent women and children make you feel like a man? Is that what it is?” “I’m really getting tired of you.” He raised his hand and Mattie felt an incredible pain on the back of her head before passing out. ***** TJ drove across the border after showing his passport. Suddenly his phone rang. He checked the caller id before answering. “What’s up Simon?” “You better get your sorry butt back here. I’m heading for your place. Debbie went out there an hour ago and hasn’t returned. She’s not answering her phone and Frannie called to tell me she saw that truck again heading up to your place.” TJ swore and turned the car around. “I’m on my way.” ***** When she came to, the room was filled with smoke and flames. Her throat was raw and her lungs hurt from the smoke. ”Debbie,” she called out, not sure if her friend was alive or dead. “I’m here. What are we going to do? The bigger guy, the one you called Johnny started a fire in the doorway. We have to get out of here!” “I know that!” She looked around the room. “Damn, what a time for a doctor to be without a scalpel.” The smoke in the room was getting thicker and thicker. Both women were coughing and finding it harder to breathe. “You there still?”

“Yes.” But Debbie’s voice was sounding weak and raspy. “Okay, what I want us to do is try and fall down to the floor. Maybe we can wiggle our way out of these ropes.” “I don’t know, I feel weak.” “Don’t wimp out on me now!” She snapped. “On three. One, two, three!” They both rocked back and forth until their chairs fell over. The glass in the windows shattered into a million pieces and she thought she must be hallucinating. She heard Simon, and was that EZ? “Mac. Debbie. Where are you?” “Here!” She said as loud as she could. Which wasn’t too loud. But somehow the men found her. “Damn cowboy, but you do look good.” He made quick work of the rope around her limbs. “Wish I could say the same for you girl. Can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I?” Lifting her up as if she were light as feather, he ran out of the garage, followed closely by Simon who carried Debbie. Gently, they placed the ladies on stretchers where EMT’s waited with oxygen for both women. They seemed intimidated by the big cowboy standing there. When she felt well enough to take the oxygen away she saw another man standing there with EZ. “Justin!” He came over and grabbed her hand looking her over carefully before gathering her into his arms. “Damn it, woman! Don’t do that to us ever again. Sam has had us searching everywhere for you. He and Colin are on their way.” He gently placed the oxygen mask over her face. The sound of barking alerted her just in time to brace herself for Crane’s arrival. The dog practically knocked Justin over trying to get to her. Mac wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fur. “Crane! You’re alive.” “We found him out front, barking and running back and forth. He’s a big old mutt.” Justin pulled the dog down off the stretcher.

Mac reached down to pat the dog. “He’s my guardian angel. Aren’t you? He’s TJ’s dog. TJ!” She reached over and grabbed Justin’s hand. “Daniel, no TJ! Justin he’s alive!” “I know sweetheart. He gave my phone number to Simon who called me. I’m just glad we got up here in time.” The EMT’s interrupted them. “Time to take her to the hospital sir.” He started to roll the stretcher away. “Wait!” Mac called out. “EZ, Justin.” “Yes, darlin’.” EZ stood on one side and Justin the other. Next to her brothers and TJ, these were the two most important men in her life. They were her friends and she almost lost them. “I love you both, you know that.” “Yes, we do.” Justin answered and started pushing the stretcher toward the waiting ambulance. “Wait!” She cried out as they lifted the stretcher into the vehicle. “Don’t worry darlin’.” EZ cried out to her. “You’re not going to lose him again.” ***** TJ stood there looking at the place he had grown to love, smoldering in the dark. He had given up all he’d loved for his job and where had it gotten him. Nowhere to go, no one to come home to. He had to let her go, if he didn’t her life would be in danger. He couldn’t do that to her. “About time you showed your face, boy.” A voice said from behind him. There was no mistaking that Texas twang. Even after years of living in Boston, EZ McAllister was every inch a son of Texas. He turned around. “McAllister. Never thought I’d be glad to see your ugly mug again.” EZ chuckled. “The feeling’s mutual. You really hurt her by what you did, you know that?” “Yeah, well, it was either that or watch them kill her. You know Hanrahan would have insisted on pay back for what happened to his brother.”

“Don’t you think that was her decision to make?” “That’s rich coming from you.” “So, what are you intending to do now?” “Don’t know. Maybe move to Canada permanently.” “Is that what you want.” “You know it’s not. But it’s what’s best, for all concerned.” “Would seem to me that someone else has a stake in this decision as well. She remembers who you are, you realize that?” “Shit, I was hoping you guys would have her back in Boston before she remembered.” “Are you going to break her heart a second time?” “She’ll get over it.” “But will you?” EZ turned around and walked down the road. That’s when TJ saw the truck pull down the road away under some pine trees. He watched as EZ got in and started the motor. Then to his amazement he drove back up to where TJ stood, lowering the window he threw a book of matches at him. Picking it up TJ noted they were from the Starburst Motel on the edge of town. “Hate to say it boy, but you really did disappoint me. I never figured you to be a coward. We’re having a meeting tonight, if you show up you might just learn a thing or three.” TJ watched him drive away. As the truck pulled out of sight he looked back at the book of matches in his hand. Opening it he noted a room number written inside. Shaking his head he stuffed it in his pocket and started off down the road. ***** “Do you think he’ll show?” EZ asked the other men in the room. It was Justin and Mac’s brothers, Colin and Sam, who had arrived a few hours ago.

“He’ll show.” Colin said. “Unless he’s changed that much in three years. He loves my sister too much not to show.” At the knock they all turned. EZ opened the door and let TJ in. He stopped when he saw his friends. Colin and Sam stood up. “You know we should beat the hell out of you for doing this to our sister?” Sam said. TJ held his arms at his side, “Give it your best shot.” He said, bracing himself for the blows, and was surprised when they both embraced him. Colin laughed. “Man, we’re so glad you’re alive, we’ve missed you.” “You’re not going to hit me?” It was Sam’s turn to laugh. “It’s tempting.” “Yeah,” Colin agreed. “But we figured Mac’ll put you through hell before she decides to forgive you.” “But, I can’t stay around, it won’t be safe for her, for any of you.” Justin cleared his throat and when they turned to him he waved a pile of papers at them. “I have some information here that just may be able to help you.” ***** The door opened and Mattie looked up from the book she was reading. The expectant smile on her face died when she realized it was not who she was expecting. “Glad to see you to.” Simon smiled before kissing her cheek. “Just saw your friends off. I like them, a lot.” “I’m glad, they liked you.” “Told them if they ever needed any help in this neck of the woods to let me know.” “How’s Debbie?” She asked, wanting to change the subject. EZ and Justin had stayed for a few days but had to get back. Both their wives were pregnant and Abigail was due any day. She would be a godmother once again.

She hadn’t had the nerve to ask if they had found TJ. When they’d left, EZ had hugged her and told her not to worry it would all work out. She just wished she could be so sure. “Debbie’s fine. She spent last week in Seattle with her mom. She had a few ghosts of her own to put to rest. I tried to talk her into closing the office for another week but she refused. She has agreed, finally, to make an honest man out of me.” “Congratulations!” She was glad her friends had finally solved their differences. Now if only… “So, what do we call you now? I’ve gotten so use to calling you Mattie. EZ said your real name was Matilda, but every one calls you Mac. I know TJ said he used to call you Mattie.” She had been angry at first when she found out that Simon knew about their prior relationship but he had done the only right thing. She would have done the same in his position. “Mattie's fine.” “What are you going to do? Once you’re released from here, that is?” “Well, I’ve resigned from Customs. My brothers want me to come home to Boston and live with one of them until I finish rehab, but I’m not sure.” She had reinjured the leg during the fire and was back in another long cast. “I have another option for you to consider.” An accent with a singsong lilt she thought to never hear again spoke from the doorway. “That’s my cue to bow out.” Simon grabbed his hat. “Debbie said to tell you she has your room ready if you need it. But I don’t think you will.” He stopped to pat his friend on the back before turning back to Mattie. “Hear him out, please.” He blew her a kiss and left. TJ cleared his throat. “Mattie. You look lovely as always.” “Am I speaking with the ghost of Daniel Connor, or the flesh and blood man known as TJ O’Malley?”

“Ow, sweetheart.” He clasped his hand over his heart. “You always were able to wound me.” He looked at her, with tears threatening to overflow from her eyes and he lost it. Rushing over to her side he sat on the edge of the bed. “Mattie, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I only did what I thought was right. I only wanted to keep you safe, love.” He was babbling and he knew it but he couldn’t help it. Suddenly there was a punch to his midsection and he found himself on the floor looking up at the woman he loved. “That’s for making decisions without me. How dare you presume to know what’s good for me? How dare you not tell me from day one who I was and help me remember. You’re nothing but an arrogant, obnoxious, abrasive…” He rose from the floor, smiling and leaned down to gently silence her with a kiss full of a love that would last for ages. She has quite a temper, does his Mattie, but he knew how to cool it off. “Don’t think you can get away with just coming in and kissing me like that and expect me to fall for your Irish charm Mister Thomas Jefferson O’Malley. Mrs. Mac didn’t raise her only daughter to be a fool.” “Yes, my heart,’” he ran a kiss across her lips and down her neck into the neckline of the hospital gown. “You know I never thought I would consider these sexy, but I can see I might have to change my mind.” She slapped his hands away. “Stop that. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a cast on.” “Well, that didn’t stop us before.” “Argh!” She hollered in frustration. “Would you stop that and listen to me.” “Yes, ma’am.” He sat beside her on the bed, refusing to let go of her hand. “Mike Hanrahan knows you’re alive. At least I think he does. I figure we can always go across and hide out there for a while. At least until all this cools

down. Before I left they were getting ready to indict Tommy O’Neil on smuggling charges totally unrelated to what the Hanrahan brothers were doing.” “I know, and…” he tried to explain but she cut him off. “We don’t have to get married or anything, but I am not going to let you go again. If you leave me, I’ll hunt you down and find you again.” “Oh I’m not going anywhere, I’m staying here with you.” “But what about the Hanrahans? If we go back to Boston, you’ll be killed.” “That’s just a chance I have to take. Beside I know you’ll be happier in Boston than up here in Maine.” “Are you crazy? You won’t last long in Boston. You know how Mike is. You’ll be dead in six months.” “I doubt it.” “Why?” “Because Mike Hanrahan is dead. Cancer finally got him. Hard to get money from a dead man.” She threw her arms around him. “That’s fantastic!” He kissed her before unwrapping her arms from around his neck. Holding both her hands in his. “I lost you once, I won’t lose you again.” He reached into his pocket and took out a ring, the claddagh ring he’d given her all those years ago. “I want to get you a proper engagement ring, but this will do for now. I found it in the pocket of your jeans the night I pulled you out of the lake. Mattie, mine, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to give you lots of children and let them give us lots of grandchildren and most of all I want to grow old with you.” She opened her mouth to speak and he put a finger over it. “Hush Achusla, let me finish. You once told me you had room in your heart for only one man and that was Daniel Connor. Do you think you could find a little space in there for TJ O’Malley?”

Tears filled her eyes as she nodded yes then let her lips tell him what her voice could not.