To Know Her by Name (27 page)

“No, I'm not,” he admitted, “but there's little I can do about it.”

Harry looked at him. “I've never had to know what you were doing, Mickey. It's never bothered me too much not knowing every aspect of your job, but this is personal. I know Callie must be tied into your work, or you'd be saying more, but I'm putting all of that aside. You're hurting over this woman in a way that has nothing to do with the U.S. Treasury Department.”

Harry had always been plainspoken with his son, but never had McKay felt he'd been robbed of air. This
was
personal. Yes, he was worried that an operation was underway right here in Longmont, but mostly he was concerned for a dark-haired woman who'd been playing havoc with his heart since he'd met her. Romance was not on his mind, not as romances went, but Pup was. Such a thought didn't make sense even to McKay, but it was true. She was the most fascinating woman he'd ever encountered. The realization was stunning; it was also very sobering.

Only days ago Pup had realized she'd accepted Christ when she was a child. McKay shuddered at the thought that he might have been this fascinated with a woman who was not a believer.

It wouldn't have made any difference,
McKay was able to tell the Lord immediately after the thought formed.
I would still honor You, Father. I would walk away and never see her again before I would ignore Your command about both husbands and wives believing in You. Thank You, Father, that it wasn't a problem. I don't know what you have for Pup and me, but thank You that no matter what, she has You.

“Mickey?” Harry called his name softly. He'd been watching his son very closely.

“I'm sorry, Dad,” McKay came back abruptly. “Some things just came to mind, and I'm not sure what to do about them.”

“Are you in love with Callie?”

“I don't know,” McKay answered honestly. “I'm fascinated, that's for sure, but I don't know about love.”

Harry put his arm around McKay. “Your mother and I think a lot of Callie, but your heart must be sure. I want to say, ‘
Don't let this one get away, Mickey. Hold on to this one.'
But that's not right, even though of all the girls you've grown up with, she's the one who makes me think that it would work.”

McKay could only stare at his father. He went on gently.

“She isn't the type to sit and pine for you if you don't come home on time, Mickey. In your line of work, your wife would have to understand the hours. I don't think Callie would struggle with the fact that your job took you away. You might not want to travel forever; in fact, I think family is more important, but she's the type of woman who could rise to the challenge if she had to.”

At that moment Harry saw that he was overwhelming his son. “Have I said too much?”

“No,” McKay answered, but he didn't sound too certain.

Harry knew it was time to let the matter drop.

“I've got to get into town.”

“Right.” McKay wasn't relieved exactly; he sounded somewhat stunned. He barely managed, “I'll see you later, Dad.”

“I won't bring it up again, Mickey, unless you want me to.”

“Okay. Thanks, Dad.”

McKay stood in the barn for quite some time after his father left, his mind on Pup and then on his father's words.
She isn't the type to sit and pine for you if you don't come home on time.

“No, she isn't,” McKay said softly in the quiet barn. “Since she'll probably be out on a job of her own.” No one but the cow and Peter, the extra horse, heard McKay's sigh, but it was deep and heartfelt.

As early evening fell into darkness, Pup made her way from Barnes' home dressed as an old bearded man. The wig, hat, and rumpled set of clothes for this costume made her look like a miner down on his luck. She and the shoemaker had spent the day together, and Pup had even gone so far as to “practice” on a few of Charlie's customers. To a person they were delighted that Charlie had a cousin named Morton who had decided to visit from down south. She made her way slowly toward the evening sounds of Longmont's downtown area.

The area contact had told her he would fill her in on what he had, and Pup had been surprised by how much he knew. As she had expected, an agent was under suspicion. Charlie had a name for her and a number of details, but Pup had had to work hard not to openly stare at him. Could it be true? she had asked herself, but the more Charlie talked, the more she understood: She had been totally blind. It had taken all of her will not to gasp from the emotions flooding through her or to show personal interest in the case. Contact or not, she was not about to let Charlie Barnes know more than he needed or how much his words had affected her.

Now she came to the first bar, lights streaming from the windows and open door. She stepped up to the threshold, the smell of smoke and whiskey assaulting her. Hers was not a huge task. “Gather information and keep your eyes open” had been the command from Nick. Simple as the assignment seemed, Pup knew it was going to be a long night with probably several other long nights to follow. Then again, if she was in luck, something might come up right away and she could relax again.

Pup was lost in thought about whether or not she really believed in luck when a gruff voice behind her inquired, “You going in?”

Pup mentally started but didn't turn. As she stepped inside she reminded herself that her name was Morton Barnes.

McKay knocked a pan over in the kitchen and froze at the noise it made. He was up very early and intended to be as quiet as possible, but the pan had been hot and his hand had brushed against it. Using a thick towel, he retrieved the pan silently and went on with his breakfast preparations, thankful that it was at least light in the sky.

McKay had woken early, very early, upon remembering that Longmont had a contact. Not in all these years had the young treasury man talked to Charlie Barnes concerning official business, but McKay had known he was there. Why Charlie's presence had not occurred to him before now he didn't know. Or did he? McKay pushed the thought away and cracked two eggs into the hot skillet.

“Mickey?” his father asked softly from the edge of the room.

“Did I wake you?”

“I heard a noise.” Harry came forward now. He stopped next to the small baking table and watched his son work over the huge black stove.

“I dropped a pan. I'm sorry, Dad.”

“It's all right. What time is it?”

“I think just past five.”

“Are you leaving?”

“I have to go into town.”

“You actually have someone who wants to meet with you at this time of the day?”

The question stopped McKay in his tracks. He didn't turn, but his hands stilled and then moved very slowly. What in the world was he doing? Charlie Barnes was not going to welcome a visit at this time of the day!

McKay sighed. He thought he had put his emotions aside, but it wasn't true. He was still consumed with thoughts of Callie Jennings.

“You're going to burn them.” Harry's voice was calm.

McKay started this time and grabbed for the wooden spoon. He worked silently for a few minutes, aware that his father had poured himself a cup of coffee and gone to the table. His scrambled eggs and ham steak done, McKay took the bread and butter to the table along with his plate, joined his father, and settled down to pray and eat. All of this was done in silence. Not until McKay pushed his plate away did the men speak.

“You must still be thinking about Callie.”

“Yeah,” McKay admitted. “I thought I had it under control, but as you can see, I don't.” McKay passed a weary hand over his face. “I've been awake for hours, and without even considering the other person, I'm headed out to pay a call as if it were noon.” McKay took a drink of his coffee and fell silent. Harry regarded him. It would be so easy right now to start a speech or quote Bible verses that his son already knew. But Harry knew that wasn't what was needed.

“Do you suppose Callie will be back to visit?” Harry asked suddenly.

“No.” McKay's voice was soft.

“You sound quite certain. Did you two have words?”

“As a matter of fact we did, but that's not why she won't be back. I certainly don't know for sure, but something tells me her responsibilities will take her awhile.”

Harry knew he couldn't ask for an explanation, so he drank a little more of his coffee.

“I take it you've decided to leave for town a little later.”

“Yes. There's probably no need to hurry.”

Harry eyed him, wondering if he should remind his son that he'd come home for a rest. He opted against it.

“I wonder if Stan and Lisa are nervous,” Harry commented casually.

McKay knew what his father was doing and smiled. “Probably,” he answered and then admitted, “I think I would be.”

“Well, it'll all be over tomorrow,” Harry went on. Thankfully the conversation moved to how many out-of-town family members would be at the wedding.

McKay was pleased over whom he was going to see, but mostly for the way his father managed to take his mind off Pup. It was close to nine o'clock before he headed toward town. Charlie Barnes' house and shoe shop were on the way, but he felt compelled to bypass it for the moment. He picked up the mail and to his surprise found a telegram from Carlyle. From that point on the day did not go as he'd planned.

“You want what?”

“A gin or whiskey bottle. Either one will do,” Pup answered Charlie calmly, her eyes slightly preoccupied.

“I don't drink.”

“What about a neighbor?”

“They're not going to hand me their liquor without a lot of questions.”

“I don't want the booze, Charlie, just the bottle. There's got to be one lying around somewhere.”

He was catching on now and suddenly remembered he had what she needed. It was late Friday afternoon. Pup sat quietly at his kitchen table and watched while he dug into the back of a cupboard. She smiled broadly when he presented with flourish a clear bottle, label still intact.

“Will this do, Morton?” Charlie asked with a grin of his own.

“Perfectly. Boil some water, Charlie. It's time to make tea so I can get to work.”