Shadow Play 5 Read online

  Shadow Play Book 5 Homecoming

  Copyright 2020 by Lizzie Vega 5 Series Publishing

  This is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this eBook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

  Chapter 1

  It took ten minutes for Shannon to calm herself and another five to finally dial the phone. She looked at Terra and shook her head, “I don’t have a good...” Her words were interrupted by a voice she hadn’t heard in years, “Hello?”

  “Mom?” She said, her voice trembling. Shannon closed her eyes and waited. She felt Terra press down on her hand, “It’s gonna be okay,” she whispered.

  “Shannon?” a voice said gently on the other end, “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here.”

  “I’ve missed you, um, a lot has happened and…” She took a deep breath, “Can I come home?”

  At first there was silence on the other end and Terra leaned in close, “Give her a second, Shan. This is a big deal.”

  “Yes,” they heard finally, “Yes of course. Oh my God, yes please come.” Shannon’s eyes narrowed as she strained to hear her mother sniffling.

  “Good…great,” she sniffled, “we’re planning for the end of the month. We have some arrangements to make with work…and stuff. Gotta book the flight.”

  “You’re flying?” came the surprised response, “Great, um…I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

  “Mom, thanks but we’ll rent something. We want to do some sightseeing while we’re there, so you don’t have to chauffeur us around.” She squeezed Terra’s hand, “I have so much to talk to you about. Things are good here. Are you okay?”

  Despite a little background from Iris, Shannon was expecting her mother to put on her permanently happy front. The next words hit her hard. “Your father is struggling, Shannon. It’s good timing that you’re coming home.”

  “What?” Alarm wasn’t the only tone in Shannon’s voice as she reacted, “Iris told me that Dad was in trouble, but she didn’t say that. Mom, what’s happening? Is he sick?”

  “Not exactly, but he’s certainly not in his right mind some days. It’s gotten increasingly worse in the last month. Some days he just disappears for hours at a time. Walked right out of the restaurant the other day, right in the middle of the lunch rush. Spent the rest of the day holed up in his damn barn.”

  Terra was suddenly bringing up her calendar, “We could go earlier,” she whispered, “I can ask for a continuance on that case.” To her amazement, Shannon ignored her suggestion.

  “I’ll call you with our flight info, Mom. We’ll plan on a couple of days depending on the return flight, okay?”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, sweetheart. You know that, right?”

  Shannon only nodded, then realized she hadn’t answered out loud, “Oh, yes of course, I know. Thanks. Just so you know, there will be three of us, okay?”

  “Honey, I know all about that. Iris and I had a lengthy and lovely conversation. I am so excited to meet them.”

  “Oh…really? Does Dad know?”

  Her mother chuckled, “Did Iris share her story about how she reconnected with your father? I don’t think he’s completely recovered from that either. Maggie teases him about it almost every day. I didn’t see it happen, of course… I still don’t have any idea how that’s possible.” Shannon shared a concerned look with Terra.

  “Um, no, she didn’t. Is there something I should know?” Shannon turned and shrugged to Terra, “What did she do?”

  “First let me share that your father has changed quite a bit since you left. He’s still as stubborn as ever but not quite the dinosaur you once thought.”

  “Yeah, I called him that a lot, didn’t I?” Shannon winced.

  “Gosh, my mind is just racing…I’ll gather my thoughts and send them to you, but if you have the idea of surprising him and hashing out the old days…you may be in for quite a surprise.”

  “I don’t want to dredge up the past, Mom.” She squeezed down on Terra’s hand, “I’m more interested in the future these days.”

  Now they both heard happy laughter through the phone. Shannon smiled instantly at the sound. “Yes, that sounds wonderful,” her mother said, “You sound just like Iris. Your timing is just…wonderful.”

  Six days later, Terra nudged Shannon for the third time as their plane was on approach to land in Montana, “Hey,” she whispered, as the jet dropped through a thin layer of clouds to reveal the first hint of mountains to the Southwest, “you okay?”

  Shannon, her head propped on her hand, only stared out the window as the tiny little moving boxes on the road below grew to become reals cars and trucks, “Good,” she murmured, “all good.”

  Terra held a soft smile and looked across the aisle to Olivia. Her face glued to the window; she was enjoying every minute of the flight. Just then the jet hit a small pocket of warm air rising off the flatlands and the plane bounced. Olivia turned to Terra, her eyes as wide as her smile, “I wanna do this a lot. So cool.”

  Terra pointed down to Shannon’s hand that held Terra’s arm in a death grip. First, she winced, then snickered, “She’s so freaked out,” she said softly over the whine of the engines, “completely off the rails.”

  Shannon continued to stare out the window, “Good, yeah, I’m all good.” She turned absently, “It’s all coming at me so fast, I…I’m…”

  Terra smiled softly, then gently wrenched Shannon’s hand from her forearm to touch her face, “It’s going to be fine. I think it was a great idea to do it this way. Your Dad’s going to be thrilled.”

  “I don’t know,” Shannon said, finally acknowledging Terra, “I’m making too big a deal out of this. I just want us to have a...good time and…thanks for being here with me.”

  Terra wiped the tears that slipped down Shannon’s cheek, then kissed her hand, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I can’t wait to meet your Mom.” Again, she pointed to Olivia, “She gets to have grandparents…it’s such a big deal for her.”

  Olivia looked over to her mother in tears. She shook her head with a sly smile, “Mom, seriously?” she teased, “how long before Terra can feel her arm again?” She winked and went back to her window as the United jet lined up on the main runway.

  As the 737 landed, Olivia looked at Shannon. Her jaw dropped as the pilot hit the landing flaps and reversed thrust on the engines and she laughed out loud as she lurched forward in the seat. Taxing up to the terminal, she was the first one to unbuckle her seat belt and Terra had to hold her back as they walked up the sky bridge, “Mom goes first, we hold back a little. You’ll get your chance to be first in a little while.”

  “Fine,” Olivia glowered then grinned, “I can’t wait.”

  “Let’s meet your gramma, we’ll grab our luggage and head to the restaurant. Your mom’s been texting Maggie for the last two days.” As they hit the doorway, Shannon bolted into the waiting area and threw her arms around her mother.

  “Wow,” Terra smiled through her tears, “that didn’t take long.” She watched the two women hug, both laughing and crying, “So that’s what Shannon will look like when she’s fifty-two.”

  “Seriously?” Olivia smirked then ran to them. As she got close, she stopped, her arms halfway up, waiting and Terra burst into tears and rushed to grab onto all three of them.

  After a series of extended hugs, Martha steppe
d back to look at her new family, “I’m so proud of you, all of you,” she whispered, “Your Dad has absolutely no idea you’re coming.”

  Chapter 2

  “Get off that darn phone, Maggie,” he barked as he ran the vacuum across the main floor of the bar and grill. “The place is a mess and you’ve been distracted all morning. Get busy.”

  “Jeez, Dad, lighten up. We’re in the post lunch downtime. I’ve got time before I need to prep stuff. Nola and Miller will both be here in an hour for the dinner shift. You’re antsy today.”

  “Miller,” the seasoned chef wondered, “is that his last name or first name, again?”

  “Dad, we’ve been over this. You’re creepin me out again. Makin’ me worry.”

  Her father chuckled, “Nola Marie and, ehem, Miller Hayden,” he grinned as he perfectly enunciated the newly hired names, “I would have gone with Hayden for a first name. His parents must be hipsters.”

  “Sure, Dad. Fine.”

  Another text pinged on her phone. For a half second, the young woman hesitated, then ignoring her father’s ever-present glare, she glanced at the phone and her eyes went wide. She spun and began to stack lunch dishes into a deep plastic tub, then hoisted them up, “I’m gonna take a break, then I’ll get after these. You’ve got the front.”

  She didn’t wait for an answer but heard his time-worn sigh as she hurriedly bumped her hip into the doors separating the kitchen from the dining room. Setting the tub on the counter, she noisily thrashed around in the sink for a moment, then walked past the coolers to push the screen door to the alley open wide. She snickered as the screen swung back and snapped loudly on the frame. Creeping back through the kitchen, she heard the bell over the front door chime as a customer walked in. Peeking out from the service window, she gasped so loudly, she thought they would hear her.

  Sitting down at the counter, the young girl looked up at the photos of the many desserts that restaurant featured. She glanced, then stared at the man as he approached then nervously looked back up at the sign, “Can…can I have a sundae?”

  He stopped for a moment and looked at her. He tapped his foot on the tile as if he were waiting for her selection. His eyes darted briefly to the front door then back to his guest. “Lots of good ones,” he said casually, his voice ending as a question, “Have a favorite flavor?”

  She looked up at him, studying him then her eyes darted back up to the menu board on the wall, “Um, well, what’s the most popular?”

  He moved to pick up a classic scallop topped glass, “Well, young lady, the most popular one is the classic vanilla with chocolate sauce and a maraschino cherry on top, but if you will allow me, it is not the best one. Do you like chocolate ice cream?”

  Her eyes went wide, and she smiled, “Total fav.”

  “Good to know,” he smiled back, “Mine too. The best version is two scoops of chocolate then a smaller vanilla scoop because the chocolate is so rich.” She watched him scooping deeply into the freezer, expertly rounding off two overly large portions of ice cream into the glass. “Yes, this looks good, but I have always felt that a contrast of flavors is the best.” He reached and ladled a heaping scoop of thick marshmallow topping over the tower of velvety ice cream. He winked at her, handing her a long spoon, “I’m guessing sprinkles?”

  “Yes, sir,” she answered back, “I’d like that a lot.”

  Neither of them moved a muscle as the door chime rang again. He smiled softly but his eyes stayed fixed on the young girl.

  “It’s kinda big. I don’t think I can eat all of it.” Her chin began to tremble, and her eyes filled with tears, “Would you share it with me, Grampa?”

  “I’ve waited a very long time to hear those words, Olivia. Of course, I will.”

  Her eyes wide, Olivia, spun on her chair to face her mother and Terra clutching each other in the doorway, “You said he didn’t know. Somebody blabbed.” She turned back to him. “It’s so nice to meet you,” She grinned as he picked up another spoon and took a thick chunk out of the top, “Your turn. How did you know?” Olivia asked him as she carved away an equally large bite.

  “I had a feeling,” he said as he savored the cool treat, then reached into his shirt pocket, “It was all I could do not to give you a big hug the moment you walked in.” He turned the old photo around as Shannon and Terra joined them at the counter, “You are as pretty as your mom.”

  He stepped around the counter and opened his arms, “Welcome home,” he said as a tear rolled down his cheek, “To all of you.” Shannon walked into his embrace, “Dad…I’m sorry for...” she sobbed quietly, “for being gone for so long.”

  He shushed her gently, then tightened his hug, “I understand, I think,” he said, sniffling. “You always felt you were different, but I think it’s turned out that we are very much the same. I’m not the old dinosaur that I used to be. We’ll talk…later.”

  Shannon let go, stunned at his admission. He turned to Terra, “Welcome to the family, Terra.” He offered an arm and Terra tearfully slipped into it. For a long moment, he held them both. Then chuckled as Maggie crept up behind them, “Your sister’s been a nervous wreck all week. There were several whispered conversations, and you know I still have ears like a cat. I figured something was up.”

  “You’re okay?” Shannon asked carefully.

  “Ah, my recent proclivities have been discussed,” he smiled, “That’s fine as long as this sundae doesn’t go to waste.” As three more spoons were produced, they all took turns at the dessert. “I assure you that I am fine although your mother worries with all my extra hours and late nights.” He raised an eyebrow at Maggie, “The reasons remain as valid as the day you left. How much has...” he began, “no wait, that can be later. Let’s enjoy this wonderful moment for everything it’s worth.”

  He reached out and snagged Shannon’s hip, pulling her close, “Again, Love. Welcome home.”

  Chapter 3

  Shannon’s mother reached out and plucked the last dinner dish from her daughter’s hands, “Enough of this,” she grinned with Terra and Olivia standing behind her, “Let’s go catch the sunset.”

  “Off the peaks,” Shannon gasped, “I haven’t thought about that for years. Yes.” She finished with a quick wipe down of the counter, then looked out the window, “We have plenty of time to get up there.”

  “I could get used to ladies waiting on me,” her mother smiled with a nod to Terra, “You all seem to work as a team. Pretty impressive.”

  “We try,” Terra snickered as she grabbed onto Olivia’s arm, “Somewhere in between the three musketeers and the three stooges.”

  Shannon laughed as they went out the back door towards the garage, “We need to get up to the second rise of the foothills then look South as the sun sets. It’s pretty impressive as well.” Noticing her father’s truck was gone from the yard, she questioned her mother, “Where’s Dad?”

  “Never you mind, child,” her mother said and instantly Shannon was back in grade school. Her mother winked knowing her daughter had caught her tone. “I smell setup,” she whispered to Terra as they climbed into their car.

  “I know nothing,” Terra responded robotically, then winked, “It’ll be fine,” she said quietly. “Not to worry.”

  “He’s already up there isn’t he?” she asked as they pulled out of the yard. Her mother nodded casually then fell silent as they drove out through the front gate, “A story or two, I’m sure, “she said after a minute. “and long overdue.”

  Rounding a long curve in the highway, the slope of the mountain side fell away to reveal a miles long ridge of rockfaces and broken valleys. While the highway continued to match the sinuous curve of the road, a bulge in the roadway flared out onto a scenic overlook. Olivia was quick to spy her grandfather’s pickup, “There he is,” she blared into her mother’s ear, then quieted, “Sorry, but this is so pretty up here. I wish I’d brought my sketchbook.”

  Shannon could only chuckle at her daughter’s enthusiasm, “Surp
rised you don’t already have a drawing of this someplace,” she said at they pulled off the road. Olivia glared then shook her head, “Nope, not this.” Her tone suggested there might be something else other than a sweeping landscape in her mind.

  “As I remember, the effect doesn’t last long but it’s very striking for a naturally occurring phenomenon.” Even Shannon winced at her rather clinical interpretation of the local sight. “Yes,” she self-corrected, “It’s very pretty.” Terra reached over and patted Shannon’s leg, “I’m sure it is.” she grinned.

  “Perfect timing,” Harrison said as they tumbled out of the SUV, “We’ve got about five minutes until the faces reflect.” He directed Terra and Olivia to face South and pointed out a brightly lit face of a large granite mountain about a half mile away. “It will start there, then move along the ridge line to there,” he pointed at a similarly sheared mountain about a mile from where they stood. “Then to that far peak. Lasts about thirty seconds at the most, but it’s…very impressive.”

  “Cloudless sky,” Martha added, “rare for this time of year.” She glanced to the blazing horizon, shading her eyes from the sun, “If you start to squint at the whole view, you see it start to happen.”

  For a moment, Terra watched Shannon to gauge her mood. She reached out and took her hand, then saw Harrison reach out for Olivia and slip his arm around his wife’s waist. “Kind of a big…” Her words stopped as the first rock face began to take on an extra glow, bathed in the warm rays of the setting sun. Instead of fading with the dying light, the shear rock face reflected the rays out across the valley. A moment later the second mountain face began to reflect a second beacon of light with a matching intensity. Olivia gasped, taking a step toward the guard rail. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Just wait,” her grandfather beamed as he watched her expression bloom into a fascinated smile. As Terra and Shannon joined her at the edge of the precipice, the third peak exploded into light sending another bright shard of light across the sweeping valley below.