by Jo McNally
The police chief glared at him. “I am the police, you dumb bird.”
“Whatever, dude. Whatever, dude. Whatever, dude.”
Dan chuckled, leaning against the rack of chain and rope. “Seriously, Nate. You looked a little pale when you booked outta there. You didn’t see that coming, huh?”
“Did you? Did you know about what Brittany and Blake had cooked up?”
Dan shook his head. “I wouldn’t have let you beat yourself up earlier if I had. I mean, I guess I’d heard about Blake getting the go-ahead on adding more buildings, but that was a year ago, and nothing ever happened.” Dan’s phone buzzed. He checked it, tapped something into it, then slid it back in his pocket. “Just Mack asking if I’d be home before Chloe went to bed.” His head tipped to the side. “Shouldn’t you be a little happier right now? Downtown Gallant Lake is safe. I saw Quest and his nephew booking it out of town on my way over here. And your girl—excuse me, your woman—isn’t the devil after all. So why do you look like someone stole your puppy?”
Nate stared at the floor. Hank had finally settled down, so the store was silent. The air was heavy with all the familiar smells—wood, dust, age, history. It had been in his family for... He shook his head. Dan was right—he said that a lot. Was he using it as a crutch, as Brittany had accused him of a while back? A way to cling to the familiar and never have to take a risk?
“Nate?”
He flinched, almost forgetting Dan was sitting there.
“Sorry. I’m thinking about what you asked earlier. If this place was more important than Brittany.” He looked around again. “And the answer is no. Nothing is more important than her. But she doesn’t know that. I didn’t trust her, Dan. After she told me she loved me, I just...” He thought of the pain in her eyes as she stood in the center of the cabin. “I made her feel like she’d been tossed aside. She’s been treated like she was disposable her whole damn life, and instead of being her refuge, I acted just like everyone else and...”
The shop door opened again. Asher Peyton stepped in. Why hadn’t he locked that damn door? Hank ruffled his feathers and whistled. Asher, who knew him even better than Dan did, stared at Nate in silence before shaking his head.
“You really fu...” He glanced at Hank. “I mean screwed things up with Brittany, didn’t you?”
“Pretty Britt-ney! Pretty Britt-ney!” Of all the times for Hank to decide to attempt Brittany’s name. There was a hush in the store. The bird repeated it again, until Asher tapped the cage to stop him.
“Hank, that is cold. Don’t be a bully.” Asher dropped some parrot treats into the dish, and Hank was immediately distracted by the crunchy food.
“To answer your question,” Dan started, “yes, Nate screwed up. And he seems to think this little pity party will help somehow. Did you bring booze?”
Asher slid his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels, considering his words before speaking.
“You’re the one with keys to the liquor store right across the street. Why don’t you go grab us a bottle. From the looks of this guy, we’re gonna be here awhile.”
Dan stood. “Good plan. Be right back.”
Once he left, Asher pulled a few boxes of paint over and sat down next to Nate, extending his legs out in front of him. Silence fell on the store.
“It’s never hopeless.” Asher’s voice was low, but emphatic. “Even when you think it might be. It never is. Not unless you give up.”
“I don’t know, Ash.” The future was yawning before him like a dark chasm.
A few more minutes of silence.
“I do know. If she’s worth fighting for, then effing do it.”
Dan came through the door, brandishing a bottle in his hand.
“Has he cried yet? I haven’t missed seeing him cry, have I?”
“Screw you, Mr. Police Chief.” Nate reached for the bottle with his first near-smile of the day. His friends weren’t panicking, which helped him stop panicking. He felt a flicker of hope starting to burn in his chest.
Asher knew where Nate kept the glasses in his office, and he brought out three, along with a chair. He grinned as he slid the chair toward Dan.
“Does this bring back memories?”
Dan sat and took a glass. “Are you referring to the night I stopped you from drinking yourself into a stupor and helped you get your head out of your ass?” He chuckled as Nate filled their glasses. “We may be going at this backward right now. He’s sober and we’re gettin’ him drunk.”
“But we’re still helping him get his head out of his ass, so it’s okay.” Asher held his glass up. “Whatever works.”
Nate closed his eyes and focused on the burn of the whiskey going down before speaking.
“What the hell are you guys talking about?”
Asher reminded Nate that when he and Nora first met and fell in love, it was while Nora’s daughter and Asher’s son were about to have a baby. Asher had lost a son years before, and he didn’t handle the news well. He and Nora were head over heels for each other, until Asher panicked and left her. His buddy Dan went up to Asher’s half-finished mountain home and found him there, trying to dull his pain with alcohol. Dan had given him a firm talking-to, got him dried out and gave him a kick in the butt to go get Nora back.
“I appreciate this story, guys, but...” Nate still couldn’t see how to get Brittany back. “I made more than just a mistake. I didn’t trust her. And before you wave that off, you gotta know this—she grew up hard. Homeless a lot of the time. Living out of a car with her mom and her little sister. She’s been treated like hell by a lot of people. And now by me.”
His friends digested that for a minute. Dan frowned. “That explains her drive to succeed. A past like that will chase you for a long damn time.”
“Exactly.” Nate drained his glass and refilled it. “Now I have to win her trust all over again.”
Asher held his glass out for a refill, and Nate obliged. Asher lifted the glass in a mock toast.
“So go do it, man. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and fix it. Crawl and beg if you have to. But fix it. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t.”
Dan declined another drink, setting his glass down on the floor by his feet. “I agree. Do whatever you have to do. But don’t do it tonight. You’re on your way to the bottom of that bottle, and that’s not all bad. As long as you don’t plan on driving anywhere.”
He shook his head. “I’m staying here tonight. I can’t handle the house right now.”
“Okay. Stay here. Enjoy the whiskey. Get some sleep. Tomorrow you can come up with a plan.”
* * *
Someone was pounding on the store doors. Nate sat bolt straight, blinking and trying to get his bearings. He’d killed the bottle of whiskey last night. He regretted doing that before he’d set up the cot, but it was only a minor struggle. The store was warm enough that he didn’t need blankets. He just fell onto it fully dressed and passed out. He squinted at his watch. It wasn’t even seven thirty.
Hank was just as startled as Nate was, screaming “Son of a bitch!” over and over as Nate staggered out to the shop. He pulled off Hank’s cage cover as he went by, earning him a few more choice words from the bird. Nate stopped when he saw who was on the other side of the door. Asher and Nora. Nora pounded again.
“Okay! Okay!” Nate unlocked the door and Nora grabbed his arm, not bothering with a greeting.
“Did you mean what you told Asher last night? That you want Brittany back?”
Nate looked at Asher, who just shrugged. “She’s my wife. I tell her everything.”
“Yes, Nora. I meant it.”
“Well then, you’d better get moving. Because she’s leaving today. She’s got a flight out of JFK this afternoon.”
Nate was wide-awake now.
“What do you mean, she’s leaving? She’s g
ot a job with Blake Randall...all those condos...”
Nora gave a sharp shake of her head. “No. She told Blake after the meeting that she can’t stay here after all that’s happened. She’s got a flight today. My cousin just texted me this morning about it.”
“Back to Quest?” He couldn’t believe it.
“Of course not! She doesn’t have anything lined up, but she’s leaving Gallant Lake. She even asked Cassie and Nick to take that dog she adopted.”
She’d even made arrangements for the dog. And hadn’t said a word to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Brittany was exhausted as she set her suitcase by the door. Between dealing with Blake’s disappointment at her news after the meeting and packing and...you know...all the crying, there was no way for her to sleep last night. She wasn’t sleepy, though. She was wired and felt like she was shaking, even though her hands looked steady. It was as if her body was trembling under her skin. Trying to tell her something?
Sure, she’d had doubts about her decisions. Lots of them. But there was no way she could stay until her situation with Nate was resolved. And she didn’t see that happening. He’d left the meeting last night without speaking to her and hadn’t reached out since. Was he feeling guilty? Was he still angry that she hadn’t told him everything before this week? Was he embarrassed? Did he hate the idea of condos at the resort, too? Did he just hate change, period? Did he hate her?
She stood at the window and watched Joey bounding around the yard chasing the crisp leaves coming down from the trees. The breeze sent them skittering across the lawn, Joey right behind them. She was going to miss that damn dog. She was going to miss the mountains and the lake and the town. Her friends. And Nate. A lump the size of a boulder rose in her throat. God, she was going to miss him so much. But he’d hurt her, and he’d left her. She squared her shoulders. So she’d have to find Brittany 3.0 somewhere else.
Her phone chirped. It was Ellie.
I’ll be at the airport. You sure about all this?
Ellie had been asking that question for three days now. Instead of welcoming her big sister to stay with her in Raleigh, Ellie had continued to question the decision. Her phone buzzed again.
You’re going to be on the sofa bed. Can you handle that?
She typed her answer angrily.
Do you not want me to come?
The answer was swift.
No I don’t. I love you but you’re being stupid.
They’d argued yesterday morning on the phone. Ellie kept saying that Brittany had sounded happier in Gallant Lake than she had in years. Ellie reminded her that she’d found a guy in Gallant Lake. That was true. And then she’d lost him.
It’s only temporary, El. I need this right now. Please.
She didn’t know where she was going to settle, but she couldn’t stay here.
I have red velvet cupcakes and pinot noir waiting. We’ll have a pajama party tonight.
Ellie’s text was followed by a row of emojis blowing kisses and a GIF of a dog hugging another dog. Brittany was returning a line of the same emojis and a GIF of a laughing Minion when there was a knock on the door. She wasn’t expecting her ride this early. Amanda had promised to pick her up around ten to catch the resort’s shuttle to the city. Nick West said he’d return her rental car for her when he picked up Joey later. He and Cassie were taking the dog. Maybe they’d decided to come earlier. She braced herself to say goodbye to the stray who’d taken up residence in her heart so quickly.
She opened the door and froze. Nate stood on the steps. He was wearing the same clothes he’d worn yesterday. His hair was practically standing on end. She couldn’t help herself—she reached out to smooth it. She’d barely touched him when she realized what she was doing. His eyes were as round as hers, and they stared at each other without saying a word. Finally, she managed to pull her hand back. She cleared her throat.
“Wh...what are you doing here?” Her voice had fled along with her composure.
Nate’s gaze fell to the suitcases.
“You’re really leaving.” His voice was dull. Exhausted. Defeated.
“Yes.”
“Don’t.”
“I have to.”
“Britt...”
She spun away, unable to look into his warm brown eyes and deny him. He followed her into the house, but she kept her back to him. It was the only way to think clearly.
“I’m going to Raleigh to see my sister.”
“You’ll be back?” There was hope in his voice, but she couldn’t mislead him.
“No, Nate. I can’t stay here.”
“Brittany, I’m so sorry.” He was right behind her, but he didn’t touch her. “I was wrong. I was so freakin’ wrong about everything. Louise and all her conspiracy theories got into my head and I... Then I saw you with Quest. And what you said about bilking people... I’ve been protecting this town for so damn long, Britt. I...” He pulled in a ragged breath. “I jumped to conclusions. I overreacted. I blew it. I was a jackass. I didn’t mean to... Damn it, Brittany, I love you!”
His hand barely brushed her arm, but he may as well have touched her with a burning cigarette. She jerked away and turned, stabbing him in the chest with her finger.
“Don’t you dare say that to me! You rejected my love, remember? Said you didn’t want it?” Her voice rose. Joey started barking at the back door as if he’d heard her and wanted to help. She poked Nate again, sending him back a step.
“I’m so mad at you right now! You made me fall in love with this place, with these people, with you.” She stabbed at him once more, but he held his ground this time. “You changed me, Nate. But you didn’t change at all. You still care more about holding on to history than being happy. You’re so afraid to let go of this family legacy of yours, as if you’re the patron saint of Gallant Lake and that damn hardware store...”
“I’m selling the store.”
Four words cut through her anger like a blade. She stared at him, trying to figure out what he was doing. She’d been in plenty of negotiations over the years, but this was a tactic she wasn’t prepared for. Finally, she blurted out a reply.
“What?”
“I’m selling the store.”
“Why?”
The mighty barracuda had been diminished to single-syllable responses. She couldn’t understand what Nate was trying to do. Why on earth would he sell the store? He didn’t answer, so she struggled to find more words.
“But...five generations...you love that place...”
“No.” His voice was firm now. “It’s a place. A building. A pile of stuff. What I love is you.” He took her hands in his, and she didn’t fight his touch this time. She was cautious, but also hopeful. She hadn’t felt hopeful in a week. Nate gave her fingers a light squeeze. “You were right about me. I’ve never been a fan of change. But, Brittany, I’d give up anything for you. That hardware store won’t keep me warm at night. It won’t make me laugh about spiderwebs. It won’t watch the moon rise on the water with me. It won’t love me back.”
“But...” This didn’t make sense. He couldn’t possibly mean it. “You’re just saying that to get me to stay. You’d never really...”
“Not only will I list the store by the end of the day, but I’ll also use the money to follow you anywhere. If you can’t stay here, then I’ll be where you are.” He hesitated, his brows gathering. “Wait... That sounded creepy. What I mean is...if you want me to, I’ll come with you. If you think you’re competing with this town, then we’ll start somewhere else. I’ll give it all up, because that’s how much I love you.”
He looked so sincere. So intense. So full of love. “You actually mean it. You’d sell the hardware store...even leave Gallant Lake...for me?”
He cupped her face with his hands. Her conviction to avoid his touch evaporated, and her eyes closed as she breath
ed in the scent of him. He must have stepped closer, because she could almost feel his words against her skin.
“Don’t you get it? I’d do anything for you. I love you so much, and I will never doubt you again. If you need me to move to Raleigh, then that’s what I’ll do. If you want me to find an office job, I’ll do it. Suit and tie every day. For you.”
Her laughter bubbled up, and she leaned her head forward until she felt his lips on her forehead, kissing her softly.
“I can’t imagine you that way.” And she didn’t want to. “Gallant Lake is where you belong, Nate.” He went still, waiting for her to clarify. “I think it might be where I belong, too.” She sighed. “Where we belong. Damn it, I’m so confused...”
His hands rested on her shoulders, gently pushing her back enough that his dark eyes could meet hers. His were shining with emotion.
“Go to Raleigh, babe.” Her breath caught at his words, but there was something in the way he said them, confident and tender, that kept her from protesting. His mouth slid into a slanted smile. “You’ve got the ticket. Go see your sister. Go do whatever you have to do, for however long it takes. Just promise me it’s not a one-way trip.” He searched her face. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
She nodded, and the motion made her gathering tears spill over. Her heart was pounding steadily in her chest, and she took her first deep, cleansing breath in days. He was giving her room to think. To plan. To leave. As long as she came back to him. And how could she not come back to the man she loved so much?
“I’ll come back.” She looked around them. “But the cabin may not be available.”
His smile deepened. “I know a place where you can stay.”
“My furniture is very modern. It won’t fit in with your antiques very well...”
His arms slid around her waist, lightly tugging her against him. “If we can figure out how to fit together, I’m guessing our furniture will, too. Just like our dog and our cat figured out how to get along. It’ll be...eclectic. Interesting.” His lips brushed hers. “It’ll be perfect.”