One Step Away (Hazel Green Book 2)

by Cindy Kirk

  It hadn’t been just Leo who looked grim when she’d walked up. Though both brothers hid it well, something was definitely troubling them. For a second, Nell had thought it had to do with Marc. But the man was more of a troublesome gnat, easily swatted away.

  “It’s my dad.” For a second, his voice broke.

  “What about him?” Nell gripped his arm. “Is he okay?”

  “Physically, he’s fine.” The eyes that Leo settled on Nell were bleak. “But, no, he’s not okay.”

  Nell released her hold, but didn’t retreat. “What’s going on, Leo?”

  “I need to hold you. Just for a second.”

  They might be in the far reaches of Liz’s yard, but anyone who chose to glance in this direction would see them.

  Nell knew she had to do this—for his sake—whether she was comfortable with the public show of affection or not. She moved close, and he enfolded her in his arms. When she lifted her face, his lips covered hers for a brief moment. As he stepped back, his hand lingering on hers for a few seconds longer, she felt him steady.

  “Dad’s legislative director has been charged with taking bribes.” Leo’s expression darkened. “Wells informed me that FBI agents raided Steve’s home.”

  “Steve is your father’s legislative director.” Nell knew the power of that position. Whoever held it had the responsibility for drafting legislation and making voting recommendations.

  Leo nodded. “Steve was also my dad’s friend for as far back as I can recall. He and his wife, Karen, are—were—like family.”

  She wondered if Leo realized he was already speaking of the lifelong relationships in the past tense.

  “Maybe he’s not guilty.” Even as she spoke the words, Nell knew it wasn’t likely. Not if the FBI had grounds to obtain a search warrant.

  “The agents found a hundred thousand in cash in Steve’s freezer. The serial numbers matched the ones on the bills given by the FBI to their informant.”

  Nell’s mouth went dry. “Doesn’t sound good.”

  “It wasn’t even a one-time thing.” Distaste flickered across his expression, then disappeared. “Though I couldn’t excuse even that.”

  A shiver traveled up Nell’s spine.

  “So far, the FBI claims it has uncovered six schemes where Steve sought money for favors.” His face tightened, and the disgust in Leo’s voice was so interwoven with pain that it was difficult for Nell to tell where one ended and the other began. “He pretended to be my dad’s friend. All the while, he was lying to him.”

  Nell’s heart pounded. “This has to be incredibly difficult for everyone in your family.”

  She thought of Stanley. Beginning with the dropped tray in the cafeteria, everything about their “friendship” had been a lie. Even the relationship she’d forged with his parents had been built on deceit. Her conscience had reminded her many times that what she was doing was wrong, but she’d silenced the nagging voice.

  At the time, Nell had seen no choice but to do her mother’s bidding. But seeing no way out didn’t excuse her actions and the hurt and pain she’d caused. “Perhaps Steve has a good reason for doing what he did.”

  The incredulous look Leo shot her had Nell rushing her next words. “I mean, you don’t have all the details. There could be some reason to explain his actions, even if you can’t understand it.”

  “Steve and my dad were like brothers. He and Karen were family.” Leo’s hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. “I don’t care why he did it. There’s never a good reason for betraying someone you love.”

  Abby slanted Nell a sideways glance. “You never wear jeans.”

  “I knew painting was on the agenda today.” Nell held the paint roller in one hand.

  “That’s why I wore my oldest shirt.” Rachel gestured to her sleeveless tee that was already splattered with paint.

  “This is one of Cohen’s,” Liz remarked, referring to her ex-husband, a pro baseball player-turned-sportscaster. “I like getting it messy. It’s small of me, but there it is.”

  The four friends were all members of the Green Machine.

  The organization had purchased, and was in the process of renovating, a cottage in the town’s Gingerbread Village, a collection of small houses built between 1890 and 1910. The colorful cottages had been the brainstorm of Hazel Green, who’d once seen something similar in the Martha’s Vineyard area.

  Most of the homes in Gingerbread Village were privately owned and had been used during summers by the same families for generations. The majority were in remarkably good repair. But this small cottage, neglected for years, had become an eyesore.

  After the city purchased the house, the outside had been tackled first. Shingles were stripped and new ones put on. The porch had been shored up, and the broken gingerbread on the eaves replaced. Other volunteers had scraped and painted the exterior, while those knowledgeable in landscaping had added sod and a nice assortment of bushes and flowering plants.

  Floors were on tap to be sanded and refinished as soon as the interior painting was completed. Plumbers had been working in the kitchen and bathroom when Nell and her friends had arrived, but they had already left for the day.

  Once the living room was done, another set of volunteers would descend on the house and continue their work.

  “If we didn’t have to cut around all this white trim, we’d have been done at noon.” Abby straightened and put a hand to the small of her back.

  “It will be worth it in the end.” Nell stared in satisfaction at the wall she’d just finished. “This shade of blue pops against the white trim.”

  “I love spending time with you guys.” Rachel carefully cut around a piece of trim with her brush.

  “I still can’t believe you got time off from the food bank,” Nell commented.

  Rachel shrugged. “I think it’s because this is a Green Machine project. My boss is a huge supporter.”

  “Speaking of Leo,” Abby began.

  Nell frowned. “We weren’t speaking of Leo.”

  “We weren’t?” Abby’s innocent expression didn’t fool anyone in the room, least of all Nell. “Oh, well, we are now.”

  Liz pointed a paint rag in Nell’s direction. “After that kiss in my backyard, you had to know this was coming.”

  “I did,” Nell admitted. “I just wonder what took you so long to bring it up.”

  “You and the mayor.” Rachel expelled a breath, a dreamy look on her face. “Even if he hadn’t kissed you in front of everyone—”

  “We were hardly in front of everyone,” Nell protested.

  “Puh-leeze.” Abby waved a dismissive hand. “We all saw it.”

  “When did this all start?” Liz asked, the reporter in her evident.

  “There’s been this attraction between us for a while now.”

  “I think he’s in love with you,” Rachel said. “You can tell by the way he looks at you. He gets this dreamy look in his eyes. Marc doesn’t look at me that way.”

  An uncomfortable silence descended over the room.

  Abby cocked her head. “Would you like being a politician’s wife?”

  “Wife?” Nell laughed, a short, nervous burst of air. “Leo and I just started dating.”

  “You’d be an asset to him in his rise up the political ladder.” Liz’s gaze narrowed on Nell. “You’re smart and accomplished and beautiful.”

  “Jonah told me Leo has his sights set on higher office.” Done painting for the day, Abby dipped her brush in the pail of soapy water. While keeping her gaze on Nell, she began to work the paint free of the bristles with her fingers. “Everyone knows being mayor of Hazel Green is just a first step for him.”

  Though Nell kept her expression impassive, her heart stopped, then began again. Why hadn’t she taken into account Leo’s political aspirations before agreeing to date him?

  “I think he’ll go far.” Liz’s gaze grew thoughtful. “He’s got this squeaky-clean image. And so far, he’s done everything right.”
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  “This thing with his father could really mess things up for him,” Rachel announced in a matter-of-fact tone. “Marc says—”

  “Marc should keep his mouth shut,” Abby retorted, casting a worried glance in Nell’s direction.

  Rachel froze and high red blotches appeared on her cheeks. “Everyone at the picnic was talking about Senator Pomeroy. Marc didn’t make it up. It’s been on the news.”

  “It’s okay, Rachel.” Nell kept her tone easy in an attempt to soothe her friend’s obvious agitation. “What we need to remember is that no one, including the FBI, is alleging that Tim Pomeroy did anything wrong. It’s his legislative director who’s being investigated.”

  “Marc says he and the guy were friends and that will hurt him.” To her credit, Rachel appeared distressed at the thought.

  “Marc,” Nell spoke the name through gritted teeth, “has a right to his opinion. I just don’t happen to share it.”

  “I sincerely hope this whole matter doesn’t affect the senator’s reelection chances.” Liz sounded as if she had her doubts. “He’s done a lot of good for Illinois.”

  “I’m sure the senator will be doing everything he can to distance himself from the scandal.” Abby’s positive comment went straight to Nell’s heart.

  Was this what would happen if news of her past came out? Would those closest to her be forever tainted by their association with her? And Leo—she couldn’t imagine being responsible for destroying his political future.

  Nell glanced at the faces of her friends, so familiar and so dear. They were her rocks. Would they abandon her if the news of her past misdeeds came out?

  Breathing suddenly became difficult. Tears stung the backs of her eyes.

  Suddenly, Abby was at her side. “Nell? Are you okay?”

  Nell blinked and gazed into Abby’s brown eyes. The look in her friend’s gaze was as steady as the clasp of a hand.

  “You’re as white as a ghost.”

  Brushing a stray piece of hair out of her face with the back of her hand, Nell managed a smile. “It’s hot in here.”

  “Don’t let—” Abby began.

  “Wow. This looks amazing.” Leo’s deep voice filled the room.

  Nell turned, and there he was, looking more handsome than a man had a right to look in cargo pants and a T-shirt.

  As if a light had been switched on, her world suddenly became a whole lot brighter.

  Until she remembered what she should have never forgotten—her past had the power to rock his entire world.

  “I like the blue.” Though Leo spoke to everyone, his gaze remained focused on Nell.

  “Original color.” Nell kept her voice easy and pleasant. “We’re trying to stay as true to the original cottage as possible.”

  “Hence the pink and white exterior.” Leo’s grin had her heart rate quickening.

  “Yes, hence the pink and white exterior.” Nell heaved a sigh. “I realize some people may not like all the bright colors—wait until you see the purple bathroom cabinet—but I find it cheery and uplifting.”

  “This one,” Liz pointed her paint brush at Nell, “is not only a world-class horseshoe thrower, she’s one hard worker.”

  “And so pretty.” Abby waggled her eyebrows.

  Nell groaned. “Stop it. All of you.”

  “I happen to agree.” Leo surprised Nell by crossing the room and pressing his mouth against hers. “She’s also a great kisser.”

  Nell caught Rachel’s not-so-subtle I told you so look.

  “Are you here to work?” Nell asked Leo when she finally found her voice.

  “He isn’t on the schedule.” In addition to her work as volunteer coordinator for the town’s food bank, Rachel had taken on the Herculean task of coordinating the volunteers on the Pfister cottage.

  “I saw Nell’s car outside and thought I’d say hello.” Leo gestured toward the doorway. “Our cottage is down the block.”

  Something else she didn’t know about this man she was dating. “Your family has a cottage?”

  “You should stop by and see it when you’re done,” Leo urged. “I’m headed over there now. My parents are arriving on Saturday. Wells is hoping they’ll stay with him, but they may prefer the privacy of the cottage.”

  Though everything inside her told Nell to keep her distance, she smiled. “If you’re still there when I get through here, I’d love a tour.”

  After giving her the address, Leo didn’t stick around. It was another thirty minutes before they finished the cleanup.

  Nell stood back, hands on hips, and surveyed the room. Okay, so maybe the blue was a little bright, but it wasn’t gaudy. Certainly nowhere near her mother’s decorating attempts. For someone who always looked picture-perfect, Gloria had atrocious taste in home decor.

  “I’m picturing a gray sectional with blue and white pillows. Perhaps a blue and white plaid sofa.” Nell tapped her lips with a finger. “Once the rugs and furniture are in and the artwork hung, this is going to be one cozy room.”

  Abby stretched, then pulled her hair from the band and let the dark strands tumble loose. “It will be nice. But right now, I’m all done.”

  Rachel scooped her bag up from the floor and slung it over her shoulder. “I need to scoot. Marc is taking me out to dinner.”

  “Where are you going?” Liz asked.

  “I was hoping for Thai, but Marc wants a burger.” Rachel lifted a shoulder. “I like burgers, too.”

  Rachel waited until they were outside before flicking off the lights and locking the door.

  After hugs and goodbyes, Nell left her car where it was parked to stroll down the picturesque street. She’d gone only a few feet before she saw Leo walking toward her.

  Her heart flip-flopped. “Hey, are you headed home?”

  “Actually, I thought I’d walk you to the cottage.” He slid such an appreciative gaze over her jeans and top that she felt as if she were wearing a designer original.

  “You’re quite the gentleman.”

  He flashed a smile. “I try.”

  This guy had it all.

  Liz’s words about Leo having his life in perfect order punched like a fist.

  Still, Nell slipped her arm through the one he offered. The late summer sun shone down through the trees that lined the block. A light breeze carried the scents of the flowers that added splashes of color to the front yards and porches.

  “I love all the different colors.” The house, er, cottage they were in front of now had weathered cedar shingles for siding and bright orange trim around the doors and windows.

  “The variations in color and style are what gives the area its charm.” Leo greeted an older couple headed in the opposite direction.

  After they encountered two other couples, Nell realized everyone they met was going the other way. It felt as if she and Leo were swimming upstream.

  “Where is everyone headed?”

  “The Pavilion.”

  The Pavilion was an open-sided building that Richard Green had designed. It had been the site of several early-twentieth-century Chautauqua performances. “Why?”

  Leo slid his hand down to lock his fingers with hers. Monday is Pie and Ice Cream Night at the Pavilion.”

  Nell inclined her head. “It’s only six o’clock.”

  Leo grinned. “Most of the owners are older and prefer the earlier start time.”

  “I have to remind myself that most people in Hazel Green eat early. Not like Chicago or New York, where dinner at nine is the norm.”

  “This isn’t even Hazel Green.”

  Nell shot him a curious glance.

  “Okay. It’s technically part of Hazel Green, but Gingerbread Village is a section of town, a community, with its own unique flavor.”

  “From what I understand, most of the residents only live here during the summer.”

  “Some are year-round.” Leo gestured to a pretty cottage, much larger than the one they were renovating. “This one belongs to Jocelyn Valentine, the
owner of the Hat Box.”

  The milliner’s home had a blue roof, a wraparound porch and three main paint colors—fuchsia, blue and cream. It was bright, bold and eye-popping, and Nell felt as if she was looking at the cover of a storybook.

  Leo’s family cottage next door was equally colorful.

  The color in the living room they entered came from the chartreuse chairs and a teal love seat with white stripes, not from the walls. The walls and the ceiling in this large open room had been painted a pristine white.

  Grouped for conversation near a large stone fireplace, the furniture invited her to have a seat and kick off her shoes. Colorful Chinese lanterns hung from one of the white beams in front of the window.

  “This is lovely.” Nell glanced around.

  Leo smiled. “Let me give you the five-minute tour. Not because I want to rush you, but that’s all the time it will take. None of these cottages are particularly large.”

  He showed her the modern kitchen, large enough to hold a table for eight, and a bathroom with a claw-foot tub. Nell pictured herself soaking in the deep tub up to her chin in bubbles.

  The downstairs bedrooms might be small, but each retained its own flavor, with the master having French doors with stained-glass borders and the guest bedroom being a pale lavender with white filmy curtains.

  At the top of the stairs was another bedroom under the eaves, this one decorated in a nautical theme.

  “This is so cute.” Nell glanced around. Why was it her condo in Greenbriar Place—which she hoped to buy—suddenly seemed sterile and cold?

  “Lots of good memories. We spent a lot of time here as a family when I was growing up.” Leo’s lips lifted as if he was looking back. “Once my parents decided to live in DC year-round, my sister, Kit, lived here for a while before moving to Arizona.”

  Nell thought about the houses she’d lived in prior to leaving home at seventeen. None of them had felt like a home or held pleasant memories.

  “Thank you for showing this to me.”

  He winked. “My pleasure.”

  When Leo’s arm slid around her shoulders, Nell was seized with a longing so intense she couldn’t say another word. The moment Dixon had told her Gloria was in jail, Nell had thought happiness was within reach. Was she only fooling herself?