Semi-Sweet Summer

by Elder, Jan;

  22

  Hunter closed his suitcase and stood carefully, leaning on a crutch. Home was exactly what he needed. He’d already contacted the Nelson twins and asked for extra help in the next few weeks. He couldn’t pay them what they were worth, but he bartered milk, cream, and baked goods to make up for it.

  Blake hoisted Hunter’s suitcase. “All set.”

  “Thanks, man. I don’t mind telling you my own bed will feel mighty good. Was your mattress as hard as mine?”

  “I’ve rested on softer rocks. Now git. Don’t want to keep the little lady waiting.”

  Hunter pegged it out the door and down the path toward the waiting car, Blake following behind with the luggage.

  “Thanks for driving the loaner truck back to Aaron.” Hunter pulled the truck key out of his pocket and handed it over. “And also for your help this weekend. Cassidy and I might still be camped in the woods if you hadn’t found us.”

  Blake’s eyes widened behind his glasses and he squinted down his nose. “A little dramatic don’t you think? But you’re welcome. Glad you two have patched things up.”

  “Not a hundred percent sure about that, but I’m working on it.” Hunter tried to stick out his hand and nearly landed in the dirt. He settled for a head nod and then gingerly made for Cassidy’s waiting car.

  Cassidy donned a pair of sunglasses and sprinted to Hunter’s side. “Hey, there. Want a ride?”

  Warmth coursed through Hunter’s veins as her smile lit up the afternoon. Carefully, he hobbled on his crutches to the passenger side of the car. “If you’d be so kind.”

  Cassidy drove off down the mountain, the wind from the open windows ruffling her hair. She switched the radio station to Christian rock and sang to the music, her fingers tapping the wheel. She glanced at him sideways. “Nothing better than a fast car, good music, and open windows. Don’t you just love June?”

  He liked this carefree side of her. He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Hey, where were you this morning? I searched for you at breakfast. You OK?”

  “Never better. Believe it or not, I woke up at dawn and hiked up to Revelation Rock. The view’s incredible. There was the most glorious sunrise, and I did some serious thinking. I realized I’m tired of being downcast and fearful.”

  “What are you afraid of? Me?”

  “In part. When Mom and I moved back to Chicago, I was afraid to let myself feel too much. And because I was so scared, I missed out on all kinds of things.”

  “Then it is my fault. I messed you up.” His heart plummeted. What had he done to this remarkable woman?

  She huffed out a little laugh and touched his hand. “Oh, but I let you. And then I held the pain close and buried it deep. When bitterness surfaced, I knew I wasn’t being the Christian God wanted me to be. I’ve been a believer since I was little, so I should know better, right? I thought He might be angry with me.”

  He covered her hand with and let her talk.

  She slid into a curve, flying over the pavement as if she owned the road. “You know what I heard when I watched the sun come up?”

  “That still, small voice?”

  “Yes. And that voice told me He loved me. There was no condemnation, no sense that He was disappointed in me. Only love. Have you ever felt that?”

  Hunter nodded. “Yes. It’s wonderful when His love is a tangible thing. I’m glad for you. You seem…happier.”

  “I am. And now I have a question for you. It’s pretty personal, though, so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  “OK. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.” She’d been so vulnerable with him he owed her that and a lot more.

  “So…what is it you’re afraid of?”

  Wow. That was a hard one. He knew the answer only too well, but this conversation was getting deep. He blinked and tried to calm his zinging nerves. “I’m afraid I’m not good enough for you.”

  “You can’t mean that. Why?”

  “For starters, I’m a country boy, and you’re a sophisticated city girl.”

  “Sophisticated? Me? Ha.” She laughed. “Believe me, it’s just an act. More important, though, you’re one of the most awe-inspiring people I’ve ever met. You’re not merely a farmer or a baker. You’re someone who knows where he’s going and how to get there. Besides, didn’t you hear the part about the enormous crush I had on you in high school?”

  “Yeah, but that was ten years ago. A lot’s changed since then. Your boyfriend Bradley, for one. What did you say he did?”

  “Ex-boyfriend. Stockbroker.”

  “See what I mean? I don’t have a lot to offer in comparison.”

  “How could you think that? You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I love you.”

  Hunter whistled sharply through his teeth. “Stop the car.”

  “What?”

  “Stop the car.”

  Cassidy pulled over to the side of the road at the next opportunity, coasting to a stop next to a cow field. “OK. We’re stopped. So…?”

  Hunter unhooked his seat belt and leaned in close, his hand flying to the nape of her neck. “I love you, too, Cassidy.” Slowly and tenderly, he kissed her until they were both breathless. She was his girl, and he would love her until the day he died.

  ~*~

  Cassidy made a right into Hunter’s driveway and switched off the ignition. She jiggled his upper arm. “We’re home.”

  Hunter opened his eyes and yawned. “Can you come in the house for a minute?”

  “Sure. But not too long. I need a nice extended nap.” She pulled the lever to open the trunk and jumped out of the car. Hefting Hunter’s bag, she tramped with him to the house, careful not to trip over her own two feet.

  In the kitchen, Linus took one look at Hunter’s crutches and fled, tail flat to the ground. “My cat’s a wimp. What can I say? Mice laugh at him behind his back.”

  “Poor, misunderstood kitty.” Cassidy grinned and stood holding Hunter’s suitcase. “Which is your bedroom? Do you want me to help you unpack?”

  “Bedroom up the stairs, last door on your right. If you could set the bag on the bed, I’ll manage.”

  “OK.” Cassidy trudged up the stairs, down the long hall, and into Hunter’s room. It was neater than she expected, bed made, no clothes on the floor. She slid a hand over the navy comforter, taking pleasure in the feel of the crisp cotton. She placed his bag on the bed and wandered back to the kitchen. “All set.”

  “Thanks. I don’t mind telling you, I’m beat.”

  Cassidy pulled out two chairs and plunked down heavily in hers. Stars revolved in her head.

  Hunter leaned his crutches against the table and eased into the seat.

  Linus poked his head into the room and edged toward Hunter’s outstretched hand, ears pricked, his eye on Cassidy’s every move. She kept still as Hunter scooped him up and tickled his ears.

  “Hey, buddy. This is Cassidy. Cassidy, meet Linus.”

  Offering a tentative hand, Cassidy let the orange cat sniff her fingers. She stroked the space between his ears. Linus rubbed his cheek against her hand and ramped up his purr. “That’s a good sign, right?”

  “Absolutely.” Hunter swiped a hand down the cat’s back and set him on the floor. He offered Cassidy a shy smile. “And you need to get home while you can still walk across the lawn. Problem is I don’t want to let you go.”

  Ah. That was sweet. “And I wish I was up to staying awhile.” Cassidy stumbled to her feet. “Don’t you dare try to get up. I’ll let myself out.” Suddenly timid, she gave Hunter a quick peck on the lips and headed for home.

  ~*~

  Hunter sighed and thunked his head on the table. His eyes slid shut with an almost audible click. Bed. He needed his bed. Or maybe he’d just sleep on the couch in the family room. Why had he asked Cassidy to take his bag upstairs? He was contemplating his options when his phone buzzed. Cassidy. “Hey. You OK?”

  “Gracey’s gone.”

  “Gone? Have you searched the
house? Maybe she’s taking a nap somewhere.”

  “Someone left a note on the counter.” Cassidy’s voice broke. “She’s been kidnapped.”

  23

  Adrenaline pumped through Hunter’s veins. “I’ll be right over.”

  “Hunter, you can’t. Remember what the doctor said.”

  “I’m coming over.” He ended the call, stashed the device in his pocket, grabbed his crutches, and one-footed it out the door.

  He’d figured it out. Hillary was behind this. Lately, the glacial glares she’d been sending him would harden a fresh-baked cream puff. Her constant remarks about their competition, her undeservedly snide comments whenever he’d mentioned Cassidy, and her acerbic demeanor in general all made sense now. He was still working out who her accomplice was when he banged on Cassidy’s back door.

  “Well, that was fast. You’re getting pretty good with those things.”

  “Thanks. Bring the note.” Huffing and puffing, Hunter moved passed her and thumped into her living room. He dropped down heavily on the sofa and motioned for her to sit next to him.

  Cassidy placed the note in his hands. The word kidnapped was misspelled using only one “p.” He knew a poor speller—someone quite capable of harassing Cassidy with no hesitation. As he stared at the paper, the second piece of the puzzle clicked into place. “I’m certain I know who has your cat. Is any cat food missing?”

  “Let me check.” Cassidy came back in the room and stared at him. “You were right. A bag of dry food is gone.”

  “Now I know for sure.”

  “You do? Should we call Officer Jordan?”

  “I’ll let you decide that after I explain. I’d bet real money my cousin, Kyle, has Gracey, and Hillary put him up to it.”

  Cassidy’s eyes opened wide. “He wouldn’t hurt Gracey, would he?”

  “No. He’s always wanted a cat. But he’s a brute with few scruples.”

  Comprehension dawned in her soft blue eyes. “Are you saying your cousin broke into the shop and spray painted my car, too?”

  “Uh-huh. This also explains why the police didn’t get a match on the print. Kyle’s never been in jail, although some might say that’s where he belongs.” Hunter propped his leg up on the chair nearest the couch. He winced and tried to find a comfortable position.

  Cassidy slipped a beige silk pillow under his foot. “But why? What did I ever do to him? And what’s your sister got to do with it?”

  “I’ve never told you about Hillary’s accident, have I?”

  “No, but Blake told Gabby, and Gabby told me. Isn’t that the way a small town works?” Cassidy chuckled. “She didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “I don’t mind. I should have told you way before now. Makes it easier for you to understand the strange dynamics between my sister and me.”

  “But why does Hillary hate me?”

  “She doesn’t hate you, but she does see you as a threat. She’d planned to add candy to the bakery line someday so we’d be Cookies, Cakes, Cobblers, and Candy. The opening of your chocolate truffle shop took the wind out of her sails. Not that she knows how to make candy anyway, and certainly not truffles, but that’s just the way she thinks. According to her, the whole world’s against her.”

  “She must be a sad person.”

  “She is. That’s why I try to cut her some slack. Walking around on these crutches has given me a new perspective. I’m starting to appreciate what Hillary must go through on a daily basis. Of course I knew before, but a little firsthand experience is different.”

  “She has it tough.”

  “Her life would change if she knew Jesus. Not the wheelchair part of course, although we know our God’s into miracles. But more that she’d have something to live for.”

  “I agree. What else?”

  “It’s my guess she thinks you’re the reason I’m distancing myself from the bakery.”

  Two questioning eyebrows winged up, and Cassidy’s forehead creased.

  Hunter draped an arm around Cassidy’s shoulders. Her warmth seeped into his side and crept into his heart. “She’s no dummy. I’m sure she suspects I’m in love with you. Therefore, I’ll have less time for her. She’s right on that one.”

  Cassidy touched his knee. “So she put Kyle up to the task of chasing me out of town?”

  “Yep. And Kyle’s not the sharpest needle in the haystack. He’d have the strength to break down the door to your store, though.”

  “OK, but how did he get in the house?”

  “That one’s a little tougher, but Cody and Cameron are of the trusting sort. Maybe it’s something as simple as they forgot to lock the door. There was no sign of a break-in, right?”

  “No. Nothing looks out of place. The twins even left a nice note at 7:10 this morning letting me know how much fun they had taking care of Gracey.”

  “Plenty of time between then and now for Kyle to cat-nap Gracey. Especially if all he had to do was waltz through the backdoor. Do you want to call Robby, I mean, Office Jordan?”

  “No. At least not yet. We’re talking about family here.”

  Hunter quirked a smile. They might be family, but he wanted to throttle them himself. “Then, do you want to take a ride?”

  “Definitely.” Cassidy smirked. “I’ll drive.”

  “Ha. Ha. Make a left out of the driveway. We’re going to Kyle’s house to get your cat back.”

  24

  Gracey padded into the kitchen and wound herself around Cassidy’s legs. The audible purr of a happy cat filled the room. Cassidy scooped her up, raising her high above her head. “Good kitty.”

  Gabby snickered. “What? You like cats now?”

  “No. I don’t like cats. I only like Gracey. You want a treat, little girl?”

  Gracey mewed loudly. The cat equivalent of “you betcha”, most likely.

  “What cat doesn’t want a treat?” Gabby plopped the bag of paper plates, cups, and napkins on the kitchen table.

  “If you could take those outside, I already have a plastic table cloth, knives, forks, and spoons on the picnic table.” Cassidy deposited the cat on the floor, shook the cat treat can enticingly, and sprinkled three treats next to Gracey’s food bowl.

  “Okie-dokey. Is Blake here yet?”

  “Uh-huh. He’s helping Hunter grill the hamburgers and barbeque the chicken.”

  Gabby’s nose wrinkled. “And how did Hunter manage to man the grill on crutches before Blake arrived?”

  “Not very well, but don’t tell him I said that. I was thrilled to see your boyfriend cruise through the door.”

  When the burgers and chicken were sizzled to perfection and the picnic fare was brought to the table, Hunter and Cassidy sat on one side, and Blake and Gabby on the other.

  Hunter said grace, thanking the Lord for good friends and lovable pets.

  Cassidy grabbed the bowl of Hunter’s potato salad and spooned a generous serving onto her plate. She loved a man who could cook.

  Blake waved a chicken leg in the air. “OK, I’m a bit fuzzy on the cat rescue. You mean to tell me you two drove over to Kyle’s house and Gracey was sunning herself on his bedroom windowsill?”

  Hunter shook tortilla chips onto his plate next to a puddle of salsa. “That’s about right. I don’t know how he thought he would hide Gracey from his mom. She’s allergic to cats. That’s why he never had one. We also found frozen chocolate truffles in the freezer in the basement.” Hunter laughed. “Not many left, though.”

  Gabby speared a dill pickle with her fork. “I’m so happy he enjoyed them. And, it’s wonderful he was good to the cat he kidnapped, but is he going to jail?”

  Hunter dipped a chip, crunched, and reached for the plate of burgers. “Since Kyle did the actual crimes, if Cassidy wanted to press charges, he’d most likely go to jail. Instead, our sweet hostess is giving the guy a break.” Hunter pulled her into a side hug. “Thank you, Cassidy. So for the next year, Kyle’s cleaning my barn and mucking the stalls. Who knows? Farm life mig
ht be his calling. I’m hoping when Kyle gets to know Cody and Cameron, he’ll be interested in going to church. There are lots of guys his age who’d welcome him into the group. He’s not a bad kid. Just unfocused.”

  Hunter grabbed a bun he’d baked himself and slathered ketchup and mustard on his burger. “Kyle also has to pay for the repairs to the chocolate shop and the paint job on Cassidy’s car. Since he needs a job, we had the bright idea to make him the new delivery boy for the bakery.”

  Gabby waved her pickle in the air. “I’m impressed, but what about Hillary? What’ll happen to her?”

  Hunter glanced at Cassidy. “We decided we’d threaten her with a trip to the slammer knowing she’d go for therapy instead. She’s agreed to sessions with a Christian counselor starting next week. She’s never dealt with the car accident, and there’s enough anger brewing to fuel a bonfire.”

  Blake bit into his juicy hamburger and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Ladies, Hunter and I have been talking. We have a proposal for you.”

  Cassidy forked potato salad into her mouth. “Well, don’t keep us in suspense. And Hunter, this potato salad could win the grand prize at the county fair.”

  “It’s the dill sour cream. But this stellar inspiration was Blake’s idea as much as mine, so take it away, Blake.”

  Gabby huffed. “Would one of you fill us in, please?”

  Blake smirked. “OK. Now that Hunter’s concentrating on farming, we all know that Hillary needs help in the bakery, right?”

  Cassidy nodded. “Uh-huh. That’s why Hunter hired Charity.”

  “Hold on, let me finish. And you and Gabby need competent help at Savannah’s Sweets, someone who can sell the deliciousness that is Gabby’s truffles. Now here’s the genius part. While Kayla is very nice, she doesn’t seem to be much of a people person, but we’ve seen, or rather tasted, that she can bake. Charity’s a natural born saleswoman. Why don’t you guys switch employees? A good fit for everybody.”

  Cassidy sat there stunned. Why hadn’t she thought of that? “Do you think they’d agree to it?”

  Hunter shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Why don’t we all get together and hash out the details? The way I see it, Kayla’s quiet and she won’t get on Hillary’s nerves. And according to Blake, Charity was thrilled to work with you and Gabby. As an art major, she could even think up new truffle designs. It’s perfect. But, that’s not all.”