The Country Guesthouse

by Robyn Carr

  Owen drove over right away so he could be back by the time Hannah and Noah were home. Cal let him in and gave him a cup of coffee. “What’s on your mind, Owen?”

  “Hannah has decided to stay on,” he said. “She’s going to enroll Noah in school here. We’re making a quick trip to Minneapolis, clear out her house, set up some repairs and she’s going to rent it.”

  “That’s fantastic news,” Cal said. “She and Noah will make a wonderful addition to the area.”

  “She hasn’t told Noah yet, but she will real soon.”

  Cal frowned. “Why don’t you look as happy as you should?”

  “I have a bad feeling,” Owen said. “We don’t really know where Victoria is. Is she staying around here? Where is she living these days? Does anyone have an address? Is she going back to Minneapolis and how can we find out? I know we settled the court issue, but I just have the feeling the woman wants something. And I don’t know what to do. I can’t just hover over Noah 24/7 without spoiling his life. I mean, we’ll stay close, but I’d like a guess at what might be coming.”

  “This is when a crystal ball might come in handy,” Cal said.

  “You said you did an extensive background check on her. How’d you do that?”

  “I used private investigators,” Cal said. “At times, when there are crimes involved, I can get help from the police. It won’t be too much of a challenge to find out where she is. But what good is that going to do? It won’t tell you anything except where she is.”

  “I thought maybe you’d be better at telling me what good it could do. I think we should know where she is and what she’s doing. I’d feel a lot better if I knew she’d accepted the ruling and was moving on. Can you help me with this?”

  “Good detectives command a high price, but they’re thorough.”

  “Of course,” Owen said. “This is unknown territory for me, Cal. But don’t you feel something is missing here?”

  “Well, that’s not uncommon. Whatever motivates Victoria is her secret, I’m afraid. After seeing her with Noah, it’s hard for me to be convinced she wants a close and loving relationship with him. I suspect it’s about money, but unless Erin told her mother about the trust she’d leave behind in the event of her untimely death, there’s no way for her to know. From what I’ve learned about their relationship, that seems unlikely.”

  “I don’t even know,” Owen said. “I just know Hannah doesn’t want to use it for living expenses. She wants it available to Noah. She said, ‘What if he wants to go to medical school?’ She’s thinking way into the future. So this makes me wonder about this brother—he’s a felon. He could be dangerous.”

  “But he’s in Minneapolis. He’s on parole. If he leaves the state, he’ll be put back in jail.”

  “Can you arrange to take a closer look at this dysfunctional family until it feels like there are no questions left to ask?”

  “Do you feel threatened, Owen?” Cal asked.

  Owen took a breath. “It could be paranoia. Of course, I wouldn’t break the law or ask you to break the law, but... Well, there’s something we’ve never talked about that I should tell you. Just so you know I’m not really overthinking this. I’m cautious for a reason. You see, I had a son...”

  * * *

  After Owen and Hannah had discussed all that had to be done, they told Noah they had decided to continue living together in the house on the lake.

  He had a stunned expression. “For real?” he asked.

  “We both decided we want a little more time together,” Hannah said. “Do you agree?”

  “Oh, I definitely need more time!” And then he hugged Romeo.

  “It’s going to be a very busy couple of weeks. I have loose ends to tie up in Minneapolis. We’re all going together. We’ll get to see Sharon’s new baby and visit with Kate and her family. We’ll be counting on a lot of cooperation from you.”

  Noah hugged Romeo tighter. “I can do that,” he said. “Is Romeo coming?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Owen said. “He’ll take a little vacation with Aunt Mary.”

  Hannah was feeling some anxiety about Victoria, wondering if she had returned to Minneapolis, if she’d be lying in wait for them, but his grandmother apparently never crossed Noah’s mind. He didn’t mention her even once. And while Hannah had complied with the judge’s request to share her phone number, she had not heard from the woman.

  Hannah and Noah went to visit the local elementary school when she registered him. They looked around a little bit and visited with the office staff but since classes were not in session, there wasn’t much to see. The teachers weren’t even present to set up their classrooms yet. The principal invited them back the week before school was in session to meet the teacher and see the classroom.

  They began organizing a move long-distance. Kate was able to recommend a good property manager and Owen lined up and scheduled packers and movers. The property manager offered to arrange for the repairs, cleaning and painting once the property was empty of furnishings. Plane tickets were purchased, lists finalized, appointments made.

  One of the first appointments that Hannah scheduled was with her boss, Peter. She didn’t talk to him personally but rather made the appointment with his secretary. Once they had arrived in Minneapolis, that was the first thing on her agenda. And she dressed for the occasion, wearing her business attire.

  Peter stood from behind his desk as she entered the office. Then he smiled and came around the desk to give her a hug. “Hannah, you look great.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “A lot of sun and summer fun.”

  “Sit down. I’m glad to see you but I’ll be honest, I’m bracing myself. Hoping you’re here to tell me you’re ready to come back to work...”

  She smiled at him. “I’m here to ask if you would consider an extended leave of absence. My life has changed so much, so fast. I’m not ready to take on a full-time job yet but I love this company and hate the idea of giving it up.”

  “First, tell me everything,” he said.

  Peter knew about her reason for taking family leave and then extending it, but she was happy to have a chance to give him all the details anyway. And then there was the fact that she rented the Airbnb for a two-week vacation and hadn’t left yet.

  “I think you met someone,” he said, grinning at her.

  “The most wonderful man and his big dog. Noah has been thriving there, become so healthy and strong. We talk about his mother a lot but he’s happy. I’m happy.” Then she went on to tell Peter all about Owen, his work, his travels, his lifestyle. Next she began to mention Timberlake and the Crossing and some of her new friends. Then she glanced at her watch. “Oh my gosh, I’ve kept you so long!” she said, though if memory served, Peter was never one to rush a meeting. He was focused, very present in the moment. Despite his addiction to executive retreats, he was a very good boss, and working for him had been pleasurable.

  “It wasn’t just the sunshine that has you looking so healthy,” Peter said. He moved some papers around on his desk. “You know our policy as well as I do, and extended leave except for medical situations is not something we do. But in this case, I’m going to agree to it. You know why?”

  “I can’t imagine,” she said.

  “You’re not going to use it. I might never see you again after today. I think you’ve found your place and your people. Maybe you’re just a little reluctant to cut all ties with the nine-to-five world—”

  She burst out laughing. “Who are you kidding with that nine to five? We worked late every night and traveled all the time! But I love this company. This company gave me so many opportunities.”

  “And you will be greatly missed, I promise you. You were always one of our shining stars. But, Hannah, success in business isn’t everything. It’s one thing, that’s all. Finding that thing you love to do is the first thing, but findin
g the right person to share it with—that’s everything.”

  “I honestly had begun to think I never would.”

  “I remember—you had that lousy fiancé,” he said. “Good thing you found out before he morphed into a lousy husband.” Then he laughed. “Listen, you ever want a job, call me. No matter where I am, just call me. You were one of the best employees I had. And if you ever want a letter of recommendation, I guarantee you a good one.”

  “Thank you, ” she said, standing and stretching her hand toward him. “I’m very grateful.”

  “You earned it. Now, enjoy motherhood—your little guy sounds amazing. Your older guy sounds pretty interesting, too.”

  “I’ll send you one of his books,” she said. “You’ll be enchanted.”

  * * *

  Hannah dropped by the offices of people she had worked with, saying proper goodbyes. She told them she’d be away from the company for an indefinite period of time, thanks to becoming a mother and relocating to Colorado.

  Then she sat in the parking lot in the rented car she and Owen were sharing. Owen was at her house with Noah and it was time to take a last look at her old office building, knowing in her heart she wouldn’t be back. Her phone twittered in her purse and she grabbed it.

  It was a hang-up after two rings. The number was Wyatt’s.

  This was amusing and also it was getting a little old. If it was an accident he should have deleted her number after the first couple of misfires. She decided to return the call.

  “If you want to talk to me, you should leave a message,” she said when he answered.

  “I didn’t think you’d call back,” he said. “I’ve wanted to talk to you for months.”

  “And yet you hung up every time? You used to be so bold.”

  “I used to be so stupid.”

  “What did you want to talk to me about, Wyatt? Hurry up now. I don’t have much time.”

  “I wanted to apologize, though I don’t expect it to do much good. I treated you badly, Hannah, and I know it. Of course I heard about Erin’s death, about you taking on her little boy. I sent flowers...”

  “Yes,” she said. “I saw. Thank you.”

  “I wanted to call then but I also didn’t want to make things worse for you.”

  She sighed. “I miss Erin more than you can imagine. But I’ve never been happier than since Noah came to live with me. He’s a gift and a joy. And I think we’re going to be happy.”

  “I heard from one of the guys in your sales department—you moved to Colorado...”

  “I’m actually in Minneapolis right now, closing up the house. Noah and I like Colorado. I registered him for school and he has new doctors. And new friends. It’s a big change, but a positive one.”

  “You sound...good. You sound good. Listen, I have to say something—I made the biggest mistake of my life. I cheated on you and I lost you.”

  “Apology accepted, but there’s no going back. I’m in the right place now. I met someone and I realize, you and me, that was my mistake, too. We obviously weren’t right for each other.”

  “Hannah, you didn’t do anything wrong. It was me—impatient and maybe a little bored and completely immature.”

  “I can’t argue with that,” she said, but she added a little laugh. “You and Stephanie?”

  “That didn’t last. Of course. Is there any chance I can...see you?”

  She was shaking her head at the phone. “No, Wyatt. That part of my life is over. I’m not looking back. I’m certainly not going back.”

  “I don’t blame you,” he said. “But I wanted you to know, I regret my actions. I’m really sorry.”

  “Forgiven,” she said. “I think this is where we say a friendly goodbye and you stop calling me. I’m committed. I don’t want calls from old boyfriends.”

  “Committed so soon?” he asked. “It’s only been a few months. We were together over a year before—”

  “Like I said, this time is different for me. Plus, I’m a mother now. Noah is my first priority.”

  “Okay, then,” he said. “I want you to know, if I could get a do-over, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”

  “There’s no do-over, Wyatt. Just so I’m clear, I hold no grudge, but it’s all behind me. I wish you well. The right woman will come along. Here’s a tip. The next time you make a promise to a woman, just keep it and see if your boredom or whatever it is doesn’t just pass.”

  “I look at things a lot differently now,” he said.

  I wouldn’t believe that for one second, she thought. “Goodbye, Wyatt. Go ahead and delete my phone number. It’ll be simpler that way.”

  “I guess I should be grateful you aren’t blocking my calls.”

  “Ah, that’s a good idea, thanks! When you run into our mutual friends, please say that I’m quite well and very happy. Bye, then.”

  And she clicked on her directory and blocked his number.

  When she got back to her house she found that Noah and Owen were packing up Noah’s toys.

  “How’d it go?” Owen asked her.

  “Very well,” she said. “My old boss was supportive and gave me an extended leave that he doesn’t expect me to use. And I got an apologetic call from the ex-fiancé. He’s called a couple of times and left no message so I thought it might have been an accident, a pocket dial. Working up his nerve, I guess. What a gutless wonder.”

  Owen grinned. “Did he ask for another chance?”

  “He did, but that’s impossible. I told him he was forgiven, told him better luck with the next one. And blocked his number.”

  He put his arms around her. “Poor dope,” he whispered.

  * * *

  Hannah and Owen worked like farmhands, getting the house all packed up and shipped. One load was delivered to a storage facility not too far from Kate’s house, and she was given the entry code. A crate full of Hannah’s favorite things and the lion’s share of Noah’s toys, bedding his mom had gotten him, pictures and other odds and ends were shipped to Timberlake.

  Hannah gave away a lot of clothing, furniture, kitchenware and linens, but the pile of things to throw away grew larger by the day. During the whole process Noah stayed with either Kate or Sharon. They spent a few evenings with their friends. Although the work was hard and dirty, the reunion was excellent and the prospect of a fresh start was delicious.

  * * *

  It was their last day in Minneapolis and Owen was taking one final load of junk to the dump. Noah begged to go along and Hannah stayed behind to sweep out the garage, her last chore for the day. The property manager had been given a list of things that still had to be done and Hannah was very pleased with the rental price she’d be asking. It looked as if everything was going to be fine.

  She was almost done sweeping out the empty garage when a small bruised pickup truck pulled up right in front of the house. There had been so many laborers dropping by to give her estimates on cleaning, painting, repairs and landscaping that she just leaned on her broom waiting to see who this could be. The minute he got out of his truck and began to walk up the drive, she knew.

  Roger Addison. Cal had texted her pictures of Roger and Victoria weeks ago, just as he had promised.

  She kept a firm grip on her broom. “Can I help you?”

  He pulled the cap off his head. “You moving out?” he asked.

  “Do I know you?” she returned.

  He shrugged. His hair was thinner than his picture showed and he was short of stature, but his shoulders were broad. “Just looked like you was moving out. I’ve been looking for a place.”

  She didn’t let on that she knew who he was. “It’s been sold,” she said. “I’m just doing a final cleanup.”

  “You don’t know who I am, do you?”

  “Should I?”

  “Maybe. I’m your best friend’s brother. Erin’s b
rother.” He looked around. “I wanted to check on my nephew. He okay?”

  “I think you better go now,” she said. “I’m busy here.”

  “I thought I should come over and at least say hello to you and my nephew,” he said. “I don’t know if we met before. I sure never expected you to be my nephew’s mother.”

  “Roger, you have to go,” she said, pulling out her phone. “Or I’m going to call the police.”

  “The police? For what? For me being friendly? Saying hello? Asking how my nephew is getting along? Listen, there are a few things you should know.”

  “How did you even know I was here?” she asked.

  “I knew this was your address,” he said. “I asked one of the neighbors if he’d seen you around and left my phone number with him. Mr. Handelson, down the street? I asked him to call me if he saw you.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t even know him.”

  “Listen, there are a couple of things I want to tell you, since you’re raising the kid now,” he said. “I was in trouble a lot as a kid, Erin pretty much hated me and I don’t blame her. But we’re still family and I always meant to make amends. I guess I just ran out of time.”

  “No, I think she did,” Hannah said.

  “Yeah, I feel terrible about that. I didn’t even know about her until about a month after she was gone. I’m sorry for your loss.” His hands were tucked in the pockets of his loose jeans as he just watched her. “I didn’t treat her right. I didn’t treat a lot of people right. And I would never hurt the kid.”

  Just then, Owen’s SUV turned sharply into the drive. Owen got out and slammed his door. “What do you want?” he said, recognizing Roger at once.

  “Oh, man, you people are not friendly at all,” he said, backing away a little. “I guess you probably heard all the bad stuff about me. But I wanted to tell you, that was a long time ago...”

  God bless Owen’s tall frame, all six feet five inches of him. He looked down on the much shorter Roger. “You have no business here,” Owen said. “You were not invited. You’d better leave now.”