She changed into a pair of running shorts and maneuvered her arm into a t-shirt. The tennis shoes were harder to put on one-handed, but she finally managed.
The moment she opened her door, a shaggy creature crashed into her legs. She couldn’t help the smile. “Hey there, Tony. I missed you this morning.”
She looked up as Nate closed his apartment door. He was dressed in khakis and a gray dress shirt that made his eyes look steelier than usual. But the steel softened as he met her gaze. “I had to get to work early this morning, so we were out before the sun was up.”
She wrinkled her nose. Early mornings were not her favorite time. “Too early for me then. Where are you two off to now?”
“I just got home, actually, so I thought I better let him out for a few minutes. Poor guy has been cooped up all day.”
“Well, I didn’t hear a peep from him, if it makes you feel better.” She gave Tony a pat and moved toward the steps. “I thought I’d go for a walk on the Sugarbush. You two want to come?”
The surprise on Nate’s face was probably echoed on hers. She hadn’t been planning to invite them along. The words had just come out. But now that they had, she was glad. She wouldn’t mind some company. It’d keep her thoughts from drifting to Cade the whole time.
“Sure.” Nate’s answer was quick. “Just one thing―what’s the Sugarbush?”
Violet laughed. “It’s a hiking trail. The trailhead is down the road. It’s really pretty and―”
She stopped. This wasn’t a tourism video.
Nate took stock of his dress clothes. “Give me a second to change.” He passed her Tony’s leash. “I’ll meet you two outside.”
Nate let his eyes drift to Violet. She’d set a quick pace for their walk, and her face was bright. She pointed to the little restaurant they were passing. “Have you eaten at the Hidden Cafe yet?”
He shook his head. The scent of home cooking wafting from the cafe had almost lured him in more than once, but so far, he’d stuck with frozen dinners. They were good enough for him.
After another five minutes, Tony’s tongue was lolling to the side, and Nate was beginning to wonder if a walk was a good idea on such a hot day.
But Violet steered them toward a wooded area to the right. “The Sugarbush.”
Nate picked out a narrow packed dirt path that wound between thick stands of trees. About a hundred yards in, he lost sight of the trail as it jogged to the left. It didn’t look like much, but he was willing to give it a shot.
As soon as they stepped into the shade of the trees, the temperature felt ten degrees cooler, even though the humidity still clung to him. They walked single file until the trail widened after a few yards. Violet fell into step beside him.
They strolled in comfortable silence, watching Tony, who kept his nose to the ground and made constant snuffling sounds. Every few feet, he stopped for a longer sniff. Nate tried to tug him along, but it quickly became clear Tony was going to be the one to set the pace.
“This is nice,” Nate said after a while, then felt his face warm. He hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. “I mean, I had no idea this was here.”
Violet pointed at a patch of red berries. “Hope Springs has lots of surprises like this.”
She plucked a berry and passed it to him. He held it up and examined it. He hadn’t been hiking a lot in his life, but he was pretty sure you weren’t supposed to eat random berries in the woods.
“Relax, it’s a raspberry.” Violet popped one in her mouth. It stained her lips a darker red.
Nate forced his eyes off them and stuck his own berry in his mouth. He made a face at the tartness.
Violet picked another. “Yeah, they’re not quite ripe yet. That’s how my husband always liked them, but I prefer to wait until they’re a little darker.”
Nate hesitated with a second berry halfway to his mouth. He shouldn’t pry, but that was the third or fourth time she’d mentioned a husband since he’d met her. “If you don’t mind my asking, where is your husband? I haven’t met him.”
The flush drained from Violet’s cheeks, and he wished he could take the question back. It’s not like it was any of his business.
Violet resumed walking. Nate hesitated a second, then took his spot beside her.
“He died. Three years ago.” Her voice was quiet, and Nate wanted to kick himself. He’d never considered the possibility. Not when she seemed so joyful all the time.
“I’m so sorry.” It wasn’t enough, but what else could he say?
He wanted to know more. What had happened? How had he died? How had she picked up the pieces to remain this cheerful person?
But he sensed she didn’t want to talk about it.
After a while, she glanced at him. “So what brings you to Hope Springs, anyway? Your girlfriend?”
He nearly choked. “My what?”
“Sorry, fiancée maybe?”
Who on earth was she talking about? “I don’t have a girlfriend or a fiancée.”
“Oh.” She turned to look at a small pond off the right side of the trail. “Sorry. I just assumed that woman the other day―”
Nate ran the last few days through his mind. He couldn’t think of a single woman he’d had contact with besides Violet and Mrs. D’Angelo. Unless she meant―
“Oh, that was my―” He hesitated. If he said parole officer, she’d turn around and sprint back the way they’d come. “That was just a business associate.”
“Oh.” She tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. He had no idea what she was thinking right now. What surprised him was how badly he wanted to know. Did it change anything, her knowing he didn’t have a girlfriend?
“So what did bring you to Hope Springs?”
Nate licked his lips. That question opened up way too many land mines. He decided to go with the most immediate reason. “I came to work for my dad.”
She tipped her head to the side. “You don’t like it, though?”
His head swiveled to her. “How―”
“It’s not that hard to tell. Your hands are clenched into fists. Your jaw is clamped tighter than a lockbox. And you always seem kind of down when you have to go to work in the morning.”
Nate gaped. He’d have to be more guarded with her. If she’d figured all that out just from looking at him, who knew what else she might discern.
“So why are you working for your dad if you hate it? Why not quit?” She swatted at a mosquito on her neck.
If only he could. “It’s not that simple.”
She watched him, as if waiting for more of an answer. But he couldn’t give one. Not without making her hate him. And right now she was the only friend he had. Besides Tony.
“So, let’s say it was simple.” Her voice was easy, and he relaxed a little. “What would you do if you could do anything?”
Nate knew the answer to that without thinking about it. But he wasn’t about to share it. That part of his life was dead.
“I don’t―” But he broke off as Tony’s leash jerked out of his hand.
“Tony!” He lunged for the leash, but it was too late. Tony dashed into the trees, a deer sprinting a couple yards ahead of him.
“Tony!” Nate yelled in his strictest voice. But the dog kept running. He was already at least fifty yards into the woods. “Come!”
“Tony!” Violet’s yell wasn’t as hard as Nate’s, but it was nearly as loud.
Within seconds, the dog had disappeared. Nate squinted in the direction he had run, his heart banging against his ribs. Tony was supposed to be the one friend who would never leave him.
“Tony!” Nate called again.
“He went that way.” Violet pointed to the east, where a thick clump of trees hid anything else from sight. “Come on.”
Nate followed as she set out at a fast clip in the direction Tony had disappeared.
It was starting to get dark in the woods, and Nate fought down the panic. The trees stretched as far as he could see in every direction. “Ho
w large is this forest?”
He was half afraid the forest would be so large Tony could be lost forever and half afraid it was so small that Tony would come out at a road on the other side and be hit by a car.
Violet stopped, turning in a slow circle as she squinted into the distance. “It’s pretty big. He’ll get tired out and rest soon, and then we’ll catch up with him.” She gave his arm a reassuring pat.
“Over there.” Violet pointed into the trees and set off at a jog, her casted arm swinging at her side.
“Tony!” This time, Violet’s voice sounded different―a cry of recognition instead of a call into the unknown.
Nate’s head popped up in time to see Violet running full-out toward the dog, who was straining to get to her but was held back by something. The dog let out a sharp cry that went straight to Nate’s heart. He’d let his dog get away and now he was hurt. Wasn’t there anyone in the world he could take care of?
Violet dropped to her knees next to the dog just as Nate reached them.
“His leg’s caught in some old barbed wire.” Her voice was calm, and Nate concentrated on it to steady himself. Panicking wasn’t going to help Tony.
He leaned over Violet, who had her arm wrapped around the dog, and examined the wire. It was wound tight, trickles of blood darkening the fur where the barbs pierced the leg. Nate inhaled sharply.
“Can you untangle it?” Violet asked, in between cooing to the whimpering dog.
Nate tried to find a loose spot in the wire. “I think so. Can you hold him still?”
Violet nodded, whispering “It’s okay, boy,” over and over as she stroked the dog’s ears. Tony leaned against her, and his whimpers slowed.
Nate moved around Violet to kneel at the dog’s other side. The barbed wire bit into his hand as he lifted it away from Tony’s leg. The dog yelped and tried to pull away, but Violet continued to pat him, and Nate strained at the wire again.
After several minutes, he managed to work the barbs free. Blood stained the dog’s gray legs, but the wounds didn’t seem too deep.
Nate fell back, rubbing a hand against his forehead to wipe away the sweat that had collected there from their dash through the woods.
“Nice work.” Violet looked up, and her eyes widened. “You’re bleeding.”
Nate waved off her concern. “It’s not too bad.”
Violet eyed him dubiously, then gave the dog a pat and slid closer to Nate.
He hissed in a breath as she took his bloodied hand in hers.
“Sorry.”
He didn’t bother to tell her that the breath hadn’t been one of pain.
She opened her water bottle and poured it over his hand, washing away the worst of the blood. “These don’t look too deep, but that fence is pretty rusty. Are you up to date on your tetanus shot?”
Nate swallowed and nodded. He knew the exact date of his last tetanus shot.
“Good.” Violet moved to Tony and poured the remaining water over his leg. Tony whimpered but licked her. “I think he’s going to be okay, too. Right, boy?”
The dog gave her a mournful look, and she patted his head. “Come on.”
She stood, then held out a hand to help Nate up. He took it, forcing himself to ignore the sparks in his fingertips.
“You too, boy.” She patted her leg, and Tony stood. He took a few limping steps, then started to jog ahead of them.
“I don’t think so, boy. Come.” Nate hooked the leash onto the dog’s collar. Tony looked up at him with his big dark eyes. “Don’t give me that look. You were very naughty.”
“Oh, don’t be so hard on him.” Violet touched his arm for a fraction of second. “He’s sorry.” As if to prove her right, Tony let out a deep sigh.
“Sorry isn’t always enough. Some things don’t deserve to be forgiven.” He kept his voice light to hide the truth behind his words. He knew only too well that some things were beyond forgiveness.
Violet stopped walking, as if his words had shocked her. As if she wanted to talk about them.
Nate kept going.
After a few seconds, her footsteps jogged up beside him. “You aren’t really going to hold this against him forever are you? I think he learned his lesson, poor guy.”
He sighed. “I suppose I’ll forgive him eventually. Once he makes it up to me.”
“And how’s he going to do that?”
Nate shrugged. “A week of dishes duty, maybe.”
Violet burst out laughing, the sound rich and bright, filling the woods. “Remind me not to eat at your house for the next week.”
Nate laughed, too. He wanted so badly for his heart to feel as light as hers.
But a heavy lump settled in his stomach. Perhaps Tony could be forgiven someday.
After all, his mistake had hurt only himself.
Nate’s, on the other hand, had cost his sister everything.
Chapter 11
Nate checked the time again. How was it only two o’clock?
He’d had Officer Jensen meet him here this morning to avoid any more awkward conversations with Violet about her. But their meeting had been done for a few hours now, and still the clock refused to budge.
He contemplated the remaining stack of leases. He should skip out and enjoy his Saturday. He could finish them next week. But Dad hadn’t called yet today. And if Nate wasn’t here when he called, it’d be one more strike against him.
He turned back to the computer. He’d asked Violet to stop in and check on Tony if she got a second during the day, and she’d assured him that she would.
He trusted her. But maybe he should give her a quick call. Just to ask how Tony was.
Not because he wanted to hear her musical voice.
He did a quick search for the antique store online and dialed the number before he could change his mind.
“Hidden Treasures. How are you today?”
Just hearing her voice should not make him smile like this. He tried to keep his tone casual. “Hey, it’s me. Just wanted to see if you’ve had a chance to check on Tony or if I should―”
“Nate.” Her greeting was warm, and he had to remind himself that was how she always sounded. It had nothing to do with him. “I checked on him this morning and once about an hour ago. He almost convinced me to close the store and take him for a walk, but I stayed strong.”
Nate relaxed into his seat. “And how’d Tony take the disappointment?”
“Oh, you know―” He could picture her waving a hand through the air. “He didn’t. So I brought him down here with me.”
Nate sniggered. “And that’s staying strong?”
Violet laughed, too. “I know, I know. But he was so insistent, and he gave me that look. You know the one where he tilts his head way to the side and looks at you out of the corner of his eyes?”
Nate did know. It was how Tony had gotten two treats out of him last night when he’d deserved none for the way he’d behaved in the woods.
“Well, if he gives you any trouble, put him back upstairs. I’ll be home in a couple hours.” He was getting used to the way the word home felt on his tongue.
“Sounds great. And Nate?”
“Yeah?”
“I hope you have a good afternoon.” The sincerity in her voice touched something in Nate’s core. This wasn’t the casual “have a good day” that a store clerk threw out a hundred times a day. This was heartfelt, meant just for him.
“Thanks.” He swallowed. “You, too.”
The moment he hung up, he was readier than ever to go home. But he couldn’t pretend it was only Tony he wanted to see anymore.
He turned to the stack of leases, the smile refusing to let go of its hold on his lips. He entered the information for a property in Grace Falls, wherever that was, and moved on to the next.
By the time he’d entered half a dozen leases, his spirits had dampened only a little. They all seemed to be up to date on their leases and payments, which made his job that much easier.
The office
phone blared, and his mood instantly soured. He’d hoped he might be able to go at least one day without Dad checking up on him.
He snatched the phone off the cradle. “Benson Properties.”
“Nathan.”
Nate could practically feel his blood pressure go up, just like it did every time Dad called.
“Do you have the report I requested?”
Nate scrutinized the dozen or so leases stacked on the desk. “I will in about an hour. I’ll email it to you then.”
“Good. I have an investor waiting to see a list of potential properties in Hope Springs. So make sure you include expired or almost expired leases or any that are in default on their payments.”
“Okay.” Nate made a note, then rushed on before Dad could hang up. “Do you think I could come visit Mom and Kayla this weekend? After I get you the report, I mean.”
Nate let his hope build at the hesitation on the other end. Was Dad really considering it?
“Two and a half weeks is hardly long enough to prove you’re a different man, Nathan. Send that report right away.”
Nate pulled the phone away as the dial tone blared in his ear.
He slammed the phone down and grabbed the next lease. But his hand froze as his eyes fell on the names at the top of the paper. Violet and Cade Somers.
He flipped the page and skipped over the legalese to find the needed information. The lease expired in two and a half months.
Nate wondered if Violet knew that. After all she’d been through in the past few years, it probably hadn’t occurred to her to check into renewing her lease. Technically, according to the terms of the lease, it was already too late for a guaranteed renewal. Meaning Nate could kick her out and get someone else in there if he wanted to. Which he didn’t.
He brought up her account on the computer to review her payment records. His heart sank. According to this, she was three months behind.
Nate set the lease aside and finished up the rest. He used the database to compile a list of properties with expired leases or in default, then scanned the list quickly for Violet’s name.
Not Until You (Hope Springs Book 3) Page 7