Page 13 of Lay Down the Law

“Mrs. Thornsberry?”

“Stephanie’s nanny.”

“Oh.” Feeling awkward, Erin fell into step beside him as he wheeled his daughter toward the front door. Being a cop in Logan Falls was definitely going to be different than being a cop in Chicago.

The farmhouse was set on several acres. A big maple tree shaded the side yard. Beyond, a small barn with Dutch doors and an adjacent circular pen stood as if in testimony that Bandito had once led a very busy life. The fact that Stephanie no longer rode her horse bothered Erin. Childhood was precious and she didn’t want to see this little girl miss out on any of it.

The front door swung open. “Nick? Stephanie? For goodness sakes, what are you doing home this time of day?” A short, round woman with graying hair and bifocals greeted them with a maternal smile. “Do we have a guest?”

“This is Deputy McNeal.” Nick looked at Erin. “This is Mrs. Thornsberry.”

Relief trembled through Erin that Stephanie and Nick had a strong woman in their lives. Mrs. Thornsberry wasn’t a day under seventy, but Erin could tell the instant they made eye contact that the woman was anything but frail. Mrs. Thornsberry might be only five feet tall, but behind that gentle facade and favorite-aunt voice lay the compassion and wisdom of a grandmother, and the iron will of a five-star general.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Erin said sincerely.

Mrs. Thornsberry’s gaze was unwavering. “Welcome to Logan Falls.” Her eyes settled on Stephanie, and she frowned. “Why aren’t you in school, young lady?”

The little girl concentrated on her sneakers.

Nick squeezed his daughter’s shoulder. “She showed up at the station. Said she wanted to ride with me today.”

“Cutting class again, more like it.” Though the nanny’s voice was firm, Erin didn’t miss the thinly concealed sympathy in it. Mrs. Thornsberry swung the door wide and walked back into the house. “Grab Steph’s book bag, will you?” she said over her shoulder to Erin.

Erin lifted the book bag from Stephanie’s lap.

Nick shot her a small, covert smile. “I think you passed inspection.”

“I take it that’s good?” Erin said.

“Took Hector a few tries.”

Without waiting for a response, he pushed the wheelchair over the custom-made threshold. Erin followed with the book bag.

The first thing she noticed was the aroma of home-cooked food. Frank Sinatra’s silky voice filled the air. The furniture was older, but of fine quality. A comfortable-looking sofa and matching easy chair sat in a grouping across from a console TV. In the dining room beyond, a sewing machine and bundles of fabric covered the length of the dinner table.

“You caught me mending,” Mrs. Thornsberry said. “Stephanie, I expect you have homework.” Without missing a beat she turned to Nick and looked at him over her bifocals. “Shall I call the principal this time, or do you want to?”

He grimaced. “I took care of it.”

“Are you going to take her back to school?” the nanny asked.

“She wants to stay home today,” he said.

“She’s missed an awful lot this year.”

“I’ll see about getting her assignments, Em.”

Nodding, Mrs. Thornsberry turned to Erin. “Would you like coffee?”

“We can’t stay,” Nick interjected.

“Oh, come now, Chief. Don’t put me off. I just made a fresh pot of that hazelnut stuff.”

“I don’t have any homework,” Stephanie complained.

Mrs. Thornsberry clucked her tongue. “Then why don’t you go into your room and write me a nice letter explaining why you left school without permission again, honey?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes.