Not A Good Reason (Alexandria Whitney Mystery)

  Not A Good Reason

  The Fifth Alexandria Whitney Mystery

  G L McCarthy

  Editors:

  Michael Kelly Jim Reeves

  Drawings By: Michael Kelly

  Copyright © 2013 G L McCarthy All rights reserved.

  ISBN-10: 1480153974 ISBN-13: 978-1480153974 To My Dear Friend and Gym Buddy Jared Charles Bynum

  7/30/82 - 10/07/12

  Your West Coast Mom Will Always Love You

  Chapter 1

  The hum of the road was all Sam wanted to hear for the first hour as she let her mind wander. Her thoughts about what waited for her at the end of this twenty-two hundred mile trek filled her mind. She felt in her heart that this was the right move and had never felt any other way. Now she could get in a regular routine and wouldn’t be dependent on using Alex’s F-1 all the time. She would have her own chores. One of them being, checking on Smokey and Beau in pasture once a week. She didn’t want Alex feeling she needed to go along all the time to do her part caring for her Beau. Alex had her own friends and Sam knew that, and wanted Alex to have her quality time with Cyn. Just as Sam wanted to be able to spend quality time with TJ, Cyn’s new girlfriend. TJ had become a good buddy to hang with as well. Now that she had her F-150 truck hopefully TJ could teach her the finer points of auto repair.

  Her plan was to drive for twelve hours a day with one stop half way to let Smokey stretch his legs for an hour or so and for her to be able to use the bathroom, get lunch, gas and refill the two five gallon water containers. She should be able to make it to Springfield, Missouri and find a truck stop to spend the night around seven or eight o’clock if she didn’t run into any traffic. This would be the longest she’d ever driven Smokey, as the trip down from her place in Colorado only took six hours and that was a piece of cake. This was thirty three hours with her travel companion not all that familiar with being hauled such a long distance.

  The first leg seemed to go by fairly fast, but then Sam’s mind was preoccupied with fragmented thoughts of her classes at the police academy, starting her part time job working for Sheriff Taylor, and trying to keep Alex as a priority without losing herself at the same time.

  Finding a truck stop just south of Clinton, Oklahoma, Smokey was ready for a break. Sam filled up and then parked her rig out as far as she could from the noise of the highway. Sam opened the storm doors and lowered the ramp. As she undid the butt bar she moved forward and unclipped Smokey’s halter. Then backed him out of the trailer at which point he looked around and let out a loud whinny hoping for a response from a friend.

  “Sorry fellow. No Bruce Willis out here. I know how you feel. I’d like to hear from a friend too. I hope I can get a signal way out here.” Sam pulled her cell phone out and was glad to see the scale go to the top. Sam tied Smokey to the side of the trailer and placed his hay net and water bucket within reach. Next chore was to clean out the feces and wet shaving. Then she could call Alex.

  “Are you there yet?” Alex was so happy to hear Sam’s voice.

  “Not yet. I have another twenty six hours of driving to go. Smokey and I are in the lovely state of Oklahoma just west of Clinton and about an hour from Oklahoma City. What have you been up to since I left?” Sam figured she would be having lunch with Jessie.

  “Jess and I just finished lunch and now I’m taking a walk to our spot to daydream about you and where you might be right about now. So now I know.” Alex wished it was Saturday night and they could stay up late getting reacquainted, since they could sleep in.

  “Sounds good. What have you been up to since six?” Sam hoped Alex would have gone back to bed and slept a few more hours. Sleep always made the time go by faster for her.

  “I tried to go back to sleep, but I just kept thinking about you and that long drive.” Alex would have paid to have Smokey shipped back along with Sam’s truck and trailer, but Sam wouldn’t let anyone else haul Smokey, as well as wanting to save the money it would cost.

  “It’s not so bad. I’ll be home before you know it. Then you’ll be stuck with me.” Sam hoped the next couple of days would go by quickly.

  “I love being stuck with you and can hardly wait to show you how much in person.” Alex needed to get off the phone as she was starting to get emotional from missing Sam so much.

  “I’ll hold you to that, Darlin’. Smokey needs a nice long walk to stretch his legs and I’ll need both hands just in case. I’ll call you when I get to Springfield. I love you very much Ms. Whitney-Pierce.” Sam was starting to get choked up too as she’d never called Alex by that name before.

  “I love you too, Ms. Pierce-Whitney. Talk to you later, bye.” Alex felt the tears run down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and would spend some time at their spot daydreaming about what they would do when Sam got back home.

  Smokey wasn’t all that thrilled about getting back in the trailer after his lunch hour and Sam figured she’d need to buy some sweet feed to bribe him after a couple of days of this. He was a good boy, but standing in a metal box bouncing down the road wasn’t something he would have signed up for if he’d known ahead of time.

  The next six hours were spent trying to find a decent radio station and then giving up and listening to her limited CD collection. Not spending that much time behind the wheel she’d never really needed that many to listen to and her selections was limited. After the third run through of “Absolute Torch & Twang” by kd lang she needed some quiet. Wanting to talk to Alex the whole way would have been great, but she didn’t have that kind of plan and the roaming charges would possibly equal the national debt by the time she reached home. The mile marker told her she was almost to Springfield where she hoped she could find a truck stop with showers. She would leave Smokey in his trailer over night. It would be a lot safer and warmer than having him out in the elements, as well as being away from the big rigs pulling in and out all night. The trailer had a removable center divider which would allow him to lie down if he chose to do so. Smokey was a mustang and only measured out at 14.3 hands at the withers. Which converted to feet meant he was four feet eleven inches at the top of his shoulder blade. What he lacked in height he made up in girth. He was as stout as any horse she’d ever seen. The two horse trailer was just wide enough for this mustang to sleep through the night. Sam had given him plenty of shavings for a nice soft bed, and several more bags in the bed of the truck for the rest of the trip.

  Sam was thrilled when she saw the sign for the truck stop just up ahead advertising hot food and showers. She would park her truck and trailer at the very back of the large parking lot, after filling up, to try to give Smokey as much peace and quiet as possible. Still wearing his new blanket he would need it as it was going to get down to freezing at night on this trip back to Hastings. Sam took him for a nice long walk before she called Alex as she wanted him to be tucked in for the evening with his dinner and plenty of water in front of him. The stars were shining and she could hear the traffic roaring and wondered about the people who were in the vehicles as they sailed by.

  The diner was busy, but there were plenty of places to sit at the counter. Sam visited the restroom to wash her hands and relieve herself and then took a seat. Pulling out a menu, nothing looked all that appealing except the breakfast menu. The waitress walked up with two coffee pots in her hands – one regular the other decaf.

  “Decaf please. May I have the “2x2x2” special? The eggs over easy, sausage and wheat toast. Thank you.” Sam looked around at all the drivers busily eating so they could get back on the road. It was a life she was grateful someone enjoyed. She needed to be able to do as she pleased and working an eight hour day fit her li
fe just fine.

  When the waitress arrived with her order Sam knew she had enough for a late night snack if need be. The pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast also came with a huge pile of hash brown potatoes. She’d never be able to eat it all in one sitting. As she finished off her breakfast and only had the pancakes and toast to take with her, she needed to turn in. After putting the butter and jelly in her bag she paid the cashier who wished her a Happy New Year. Sam had forgotten all about it being the New Year as she walked back to the trailer and gave Smokey a quick check. Then she jumped in the cab and called Alex.

  “Hey Lover. I’m going to assume you’re only six hours closer to home. How’s it going?” Alex felt the next few days were going to take forever.

  “Darlin’ you assume correctly. It’s going all right. I’m just outside of Springfield in a very nice truck stop. I pigged out at dinner and have some leftovers to snack on around midnight. How’s it going with you?” Sam figured Alex was in bed reading one of her mysteries.

  “Everybody’s good. Dinner was wonderful as usual and Pablo is spoiling me. He knows you’re gone and he made me some special comfort food to have here in our room. It can never replace you, but the sheer decadence of it is helping me cope.” Alex glanced at the plate with the remaining double chocolate fudge iced brownies and wished Sam was there to finish them off.

  “Don’t tell me; I’ll be too envious. I have cold pancakes and toast and I know Pablo did way better than that.” Sam figured something sweet and high calorie.

  “Yes, he did. So how’s Smokey doing? Is he adapting to the noise or are his eyes still bugging out of his head?” Alex knew this trip was asking a lot of the mustang.

  “Well I may have a little difficulty getting him to get in the trailer after tomorrow. I’m thinking I’ll need to buy some sweet feed to coax him in. He’s not stupid, but I wish I could tell him we’ll be home soon and he’ll have a new buddy to talk too.” Sam didn’t want to get mad at him for just being a horse.

  “Poor guy. But I can totally relate. I mean I know I’ll see you soon, but it’s tough. I can’t believe how unsettled I feel when you’re not with me. Gosh I need to get a grip. I sound like such a big baby or an old dog suffering from separation anxiety. At least I won’t destroy the couch while waiting for you to come home.” Alex felt that she needed a good swift kick in the pants.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself you’ve been through a lot lately. What am I saying? It’s been one situation after another as long as I’ve known you - it’s a miracle you’re still sane. I don’t know if I’d be doing as well.” Sam may have dealt with it all, but her mind set certainly would have been affected.

  “Thank you, Lover. You always know what to say to make me feel better.” Alex had been through a lot; maybe she should cut herself some slack. “I just don’t want to become a whiner.”

  “Not going to happen, Darlin’. You complain less than anyone I’ve ever met. In fact you need to speak up more in that regard. You tend to sit back and go with the flow too much.” Sam figured this might be one of Alex’s short comings in that she let things stew and then exploded when she’d had enough.

  “You’re right I do. I have a really bad habit of expecting people to read my mind and I know they can’t. I need to voice my opinion good or bad and let the chips fall where they may. I guess it comes from wanting to be cool and not a crab.” Alex did feel safe with Sam and knew she would listen to her and try to accommodate her, if she could.

  “That’s what I want to hear. So are you reading anything interesting?” Sam was starting to fade and needed to get some sleep since she wanted to be on the road again at 6.

  “I’m not reading tonight. Just laying here waiting for you to call. Isn’t it an hour later there? I think you need to turn in so you won’t be so tired tomorrow.” Alex would have years to catch up on her reading when Sam had to work nights for the Sheriff’s Department.

  “I forgot about that. I do need to get some sleep. That sitting on your ass for 12 hours really takes it out of you. Sleep well Darlin’. I love you.” Sam would sleep in her clothes; she could take that shower tomorrow.

  “Good night, Sam. I love you too.” Alex closed her phone and pulled Sam’s pillow close and closed her eyes to replay last nights cuddling and love making in her mind.

  Chapter 2

  Sam woke to the sound of rumbling semis pulling out of the truck stop on their way to deliver their precious cargo. The truck started to shake as it was apparent Smokey was awake and hungry as well.

  “Keep your hide on, I’m coming.” Sam stretched to get the kinks out as she stepped out of the passenger side. “Ugh. Maybe I should have shipped him.”

  Sam looked around the huge lot and felt the rigs were far enough away to let Smokey out to eat his breakfast. Sam swung the storm doors open and then lowered the ramp. He had unclipped himself and had turned himself around and was patiently waiting for her.

  “Good morning. Now take it easy and don’t run over the top of me to get to your breakfast. I’ll be really pissed if you do.” Sam took a firm hold of his halter and clipped on her fifty foot lead rope. He could do a few laps in the open field that border the parking lot before he ate.

  As she walked around the field to check for any holes it was time to let him out on the line. Smokey let out a huge buck and then leaped in the air to show his excitement for being free of that metal crate. He then took off at a gallop that pulled Sam a good five feet before she could jerk his head around and get his attention.

  “Very cute. Now settle down, Knucklehead.” Sam was grateful she had her work gloves on.

  Smokey, fortunately, was out of shape as he hadn’t been ridden since Sam left six weeks ago and so this sudden burst of speed was short lived. A few more laps at the canter and he was ready to quit and walked to her standing in the middle of his race track.

  “Wow, you’re out of shape little boy. I think a few long trail rides, ponying Beau will help get you fit again.” Sam knew she would have some free time on her hands, but not a lot.

  Walking Smokey until his breathing returned to normal, she then tied him to the trailer with his hay net while she cleaned his room and replaced the divider. After adding another bag of pine shavings on his rubber mats, filling his water buckets and adding a flake of hay to his sagging hay net his room was ready for him. But as expected, he wasn’t thrilled about getting back in the trailer and after putting one foot on the ramp froze and made a very cute statue.

  “Come on. It’s not that bad. You don’t have to drive and I need my breakfast too. Smokey get in this trailer now!” Sam gave a jerk on the rope and he begrudgingly walked in. “Thank you.”

  Sam grabbed her overnight bag and headed for the showers. The water felt great and helped energize her for the day ahead. Breakfast didn’t seem that appealing as she wasn’t that hungry from her big dinner and snack which she consumed at two am. Unlike yesterday, she didn’t have all of the sandwiches Jessie had packed. She may need to pick something that traveled well. The diner was bustling with activity and Sam was greeted by a very perky hostess.

  “Happy New Year.”

  “Happy New Year to you too. I’ll just sit at the counter, thanks.” Sam wondered how many days did one have to keep saying the greeting?

  Sam looked over the menu for something she could eat and still drive. She decided on French toast for later and a ham and cheese omelet as her main meal now. Both would work as finger food. It always amazed her at how fast the food would arrive. She barely had time to get her coffee just the way she liked it before the omelet was placed in front of her. The rest was brought a few minutes later and was definitely going to be plenty of food to take with her.

  After overhearing a few of the drivers who were heading east, the only glitch in this whole trip was going to be the weather with a snow storm forecast to hit the Pennsylvania area. Sam figured she could make it to Akron today and then play it by ear. She needed to get going and could call Alex from the road as
well. Not to mention she needed to fill up the water containers at the next stop. Sam figured Terra Haute would be about half way to Akron and a good place to take a nap for an hour – if need be. Then hopefully make Akron by night fall and see if the weather forecast was still predicting snow. Her problem right now was to tell Alex about the storm or just wait and tell her if it became a problem. But knowing Alex she was probably watching the weather on Jessie’s computer. Honesty would be the best policy, but only if she asked.

  “Good mornin’, Darlin’. How’s your morning been so far?” Sam knew Alex had to fly out that afternoon and would be a little down having to leave all her ranch family behind.

  “Hey babe, fine. I can hardly wait to see you again. I miss you so much.” Alex needed to get home and back in her routine.

  “And I you. I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you my schedule. I hope to get to Akron tonight with one stop in Terra Haute for lunch. So you can send me that positive energy of yours for clear sailing.” Sam figured that was one way to say pray for sun.

  “Always, but do you know there’s a snow storm coming down from Canada and headed straight for Pennsylvania. They are saying it may hit later tonight or early tomorrow and dump a foot of snow. Do you have chains?” Alex assumed she did since she lived in Colorado.

  “Yes, ma’am. I have a full set for truck and trailer. No worries in that department it’s not the first time the Smokeman and I have battled the elements.” Sam wanted to down play the fear factor for Alex.

  “Okay, but please don’t drive if it’s not safe. I’d prefer you stay nice and warm and be a few days late then wrecked in a snow drift.” Alex wondered if guardian angels had any pull with Mother Nature.

  “I’m thinking my biggest problem will be getting Smokey in the trailer. This morning he definitely let me know he’s not amused with this little road trip across the US.” Sam wouldn’t drive in a storm anyway.