Buried Truth

by Jannine Gallant

  Leah stepped over to the couch on shaking legs and curled up in the corner. She pressed a hand to the ache in her chest beneath her soft wool sweater, then wiped away tears as they slid down her cheeks. When her cell chimed, she whooshed out a shuddering breath.

  What part of no doesn’t he understand?

  She snatched the phone from her skirt pocket and answered. “I told you not now.”

  “Leah? Uh, is this a bad time?” The voice on the other end of the line was hesitant.

  “Oh, God, I’m sorry, Nina. I thought you were Ryan.”

  “Trouble in paradise?” Her friend’s tone held a deep layer of sympathy. “What did he do to you?”

  A small smile tilted Leah’s lips. “Thanks for being so certain this is all Ryan’s fault.”

  “Hey, I’ll always have your back. I called because I heard about a good deal on a used car, but we can talk about that later. Do you need to vent?”

  “In a big way.” She glanced around the mess in the living room. “I also need a stiff dose of fresh air. Do you want to go for a hike? My knee’s feeling almost back to normal.”

  “Sure. I’ve been slaving over my latest project, and I could use a break.”

  “I’m at my grandma’s apartment, but I’ll meet you at my house so we can take Barney with us.”

  “Sounds good. See you in a few.”

  Leah went hunting for a pad of paper and jotted a quick note. She hated leaving the apartment in shambles, but she’d go crazy if she didn’t get outside. Fifteen minutes later, she pedaled down her driveway and leaned her bike against the wall in the now empty carport. She was still petting her ecstatic dog when Nina drove up and parked her Mini Cooper nearby.

  She got out, slammed the door, and approached with a hand stretched out to ward off Barney’s dirty paws. “Down, boy. Yes, I’ll rub your ears, but no jumping.” Once she’d greeted the dog, she faced Leah. Clear green eyes regarded her for a long moment. “You’ve been crying. I may have to kick Ryan’s ass.”

  “I’m probably making mountains out of molehills. Anyway, riding my bike into the wind caused my eyes to water.”

  Nina’s gaze held a wealth of skepticism. “I’ll decide if you overreacted. You can tell me what he did while we walk. Are you planning to wear that?”

  Leah glanced down at her skirt and sweater. “No, I haven’t had time to change since I got off work. Give me a minute. You can fill a couple of water bottles and grab some energy bars out of the pantry while you wait. I may need sustenance.” She headed toward the back door, unlocked it, then pulled a daypack off the row of hooks. “Here you go.”

  Nina took the pack and glanced around. “Is it my imagination, or is this place a whole lot tidier than usual? No piles of miscellaneous crap heaped on the table. No mound of shoes and boots on the floor. Is Ryan the neat-freak rubbing off on you?”

  “No, he just cleans up when I don’t. Be right back.”

  A short time later, they set a quick pace through the forest with Barney leading the way. Leah’s knee ached a little, but the exercise was worth any pain. She breathed in the scent of damp earth and evergreens.

  “You’re not limping.”

  She glanced over at Nina. “My knee twinges now and then, and my ribs are still sore from the impact of the airbag, but I guess I should be thankful my injuries weren’t worse.”

  “They were bad enough. So, are you going to tell me what Ryan did to upset you?”

  “He tried to give me fifty grand.”

  “What!”

  “To help out with my grandma’s financial situation.” She kicked a fir cone, then gave her friend a nudge to keep her moving. “And he wasn’t all that gracious about it.”

  Nina glanced back. “No silver platter beneath the check?”

  Leah snorted and choked on a laugh. “Hardly, but I’m hurt and angry he believed I expected money from him. It was all a big misunderstanding, but the way he assumed I’d simply take his cash bothered me. Am I really that shallow? Does he think I’m dating him for his bank account?”

  “Did you ask him how he feels?”

  “No. He wanted to talk, but I sort of kicked him out. I wasn’t feeling terribly reasonable at the time. Honestly, I was a total bitch.”

  Nina laid a hand on her arm and squeezed. “You’ll have a conversation and work it out. Bitchiness aside, Ryan is a good guy, so maybe you should listen to what he has to say before you judge.”

  “I know. Maybe getting me to quit whining and complaining all the time was worth fifty thousand bucks to him. I haven’t exactly been Miss Congeniality lately.”

  “You have every reason to bitch and moan. Christ, Leah, your grandma was robbed of her life’s savings, and then someone tried to kill you. Give yourself a break.”

  “Still, no one likes a whiner.”

  Nina rolled her eyes. “You stuck by me when I lost Keith, and I did nothing but cry and rail against fate and mope for a good six months. You and Paige both deserve sainthood for that.”

  “We probably do.”

  Her friend’s laughter rang through the trees. “I expect Ryan was just trying to help in his own inept male way. Point out his error and move on.” She gave her a sideways glance. “Maybe keep the check, since he can certainly afford it.”

  “You’re hilarious. You know I’d never do that.”

  “I’m kidding.” Nina was quiet for several minutes as they trod silently along the path covered with fir needles. “He really is a good guy. You’re lucky to have found each other again.”

  “I know, but I may let him stew for a while before I apologize for yelling at him.” Leah kicked a stick to send it ricocheting off a tree trunk. “I’m still angry he misjudged me, and I want to make it clear he’d damn well better not do it again.”

  “Good for you. Oh, and for the record, you didn’t overreact. Not much, anyway.” Nina gave her shoulder a nudge. “I still think he should have served up that check on a silver platter. Just saying.”

  “And hold the side of grudging toleration. He wasn’t any happier about writing the check than I was to take it.” Leah scowled. “He said something about his old business partner, and how money ruined their friendship. If Ryan thinks I could ever care more about cold, hard cash than our feelings for each other, then he—”

  “Wow, the man really did blow it. Sounds like he may have a few unresolved issues to work out that have nothing to do with you.”

  “You think?” Leah let out a long breath. “His ex-girlfriend mentioned commitment and intimacy problems. I’m beginning to think he’s holding on to a whole lot of insecurities.”

  “You talked to his ex-girlfriend?”

  Her knee tweaked a little as they climbed steadily uphill, and she winced. “I ran into her in the ladies’ room of a restaurant in Sisters on Saturday. She seemed nice.”

  “Interesting. You weren’t even a tad jealous?”

  “No, why would I be?”

  “You wouldn’t be because you trust what you and Ryan have together. That’s pretty amazing, so hold on to that knowledge when you talk to him. Okay?”

  “I will. Thanks, Nina. Discussing this whole sorry mess with you helped.”

  “Good.” Her friend reached out to give her a quick hug then glanced around. “The sun is beginning to set, and it’ll be dark in under an hour. How far are we going?”

  “There’s a viewpoint not far from here, and I have a flashlight in my pack.” Leah stumbled over a tree root and stopped. “Hey, where’s Barney?”

  “Somewhere up ahead. Apparently we weren’t hiking fast enough to suit him.”

  “Well, crap. I hope he comes when I call him. I should have been paying more attention.” She raised her voice to shout, “Barney!”

  The wind rustled tree branches in the silence.

  Nina touched her arm. “Let’s keep going. Maybe he’s out of earshot.”

  “Damn, I hope he didn’t go too far.”

  They hiked until they reached the viewpoint
where Leah and Ryan had stopped before, but encroaching darkness hid the ocean vista. When she yelled again for Barney, a snuffling bark answered her.

  “Oh, thank God. I know where he is.” Leah pushed through the manzanita bushes. “He’s obsessed with this spot. There must be a nest of squirrels or something.” Breaking through into the clearing with the large stone, she let out a breath. “You’re a total pain. You know that?”

  Barney whined and dug furiously near a large fir tree on the far side of the open area, butt upended and tail wagging. Dirt flew in all directions.

  “Whatever rodent you’re after, leave it alone.”

  Barney turned with a stick in his mouth, long and nearly black in the fading light. When Leah walked around the stone and reached for it, the dog sidestepped her and dashed toward the bushes.

  “Fine, but I can’t throw your stick if you won’t drop it.”

  Nina laughed. “Your dog is an idiot.”

  “I know, but I still love him.” Leah shrugged off her pack and unzipped the compartment to pull out a flashlight. “We’ll definitely need this on the way down.”

  “I’d prefer not to fall on my head, so lead the way.”

  “Happily. This place has an eerie feel to it, secluded with the trees towering over us.”

  Nina nodded as she held back the bushes. “You’d never know there was a clearing here if the dog hadn’t found it. If this is an actual trail, it’s super overgrown.”

  “Ouch.” Leah rubbed her arm when a branch scratched her. She flashed the light down the main path and caught Barney in the gleam, chewing on his stick. He jumped up and trotted off when she called out, “Stay close, boy. I don’t want to look for you again.”

  “God forbid, especially with the fog rolling in.” Nina shivered. “It’s going to be a cold night.”

  Such an innocent comment, yet Leah’s heart ached. Ryan wouldn’t be around to keep her warm. Not that she was willing to simply forgive and forget. Not yet, anyway. “That wind cuts like a knife. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Ryan sat in Castaways with his elbows planted on the bar as he nursed a beer along with a piss-poor mood. All he’d done was try to help Leah, despite his misgivings, and he was the bad guy? Just went to prove money and friendship didn’t mix. Apparently love only made the problem worse.

  When someone plunked a glass down on the bar and claimed the stool next to his, he glanced up and met Pete Brewster’s slightly glazed stare. Obviously the cocktail wasn’t his first of the evening.

  “Drinking alone, Ryan?”

  “Apparently not anymore.”

  The irony in his tone was lost on Pete. “I don’t mind keeping you company while I wait for George and Brock. They’re late.”

  Ryan stiffened. “Brock’s in town again? He was just here a couple of weeks ago.”

  “Last time I checked, hanging out in Siren Cove wasn’t a federal offense. Astoria is only a few hours away, and he has friends here.”

  “Astoria?” Ryan frowned at his old classmate. “Brock lives in Astoria?”

  “That’s where he moved after that bi . . .” Pete’s voice faded beneath Ryan’s hard stare. “Uh, I mean after Leah divorced him and took him to the cleaners, despite my best efforts in the courtroom. Brock went into business with his uncle who lives there.”

  “Un-freaking-believable.” Ryan pulled out his wallet and dropped a ten-dollar bill on the bar.

  “You leaving without finishing your beer? What has your shorts in a wad? Afraid Leah’s going to cheat on you with her ex?” Pete’s smirk held little humor. “Hey, maybe that’s why my buddy’s late. He had a better offer.”

  “Go to hell, Brewster.” Ryan strode out of the bar, letting the door slam shut behind him. The fog closed in around him as he headed toward his Jeep, climbed in, and started the engine.

  Could Brock be the asshole conning seniors?

  It didn’t seem likely he would have risked approaching Evie, even in disguise, but the man had always been brash. His headlights cut through the fog as Ryan pulled out onto the road and turned toward Leah’s house. One thing was certain, he intended to have a discussion with her . . . whether she liked it or not.

  Tension thrummed across his nerves as he parked in her empty driveway a few minutes later. Obviously she was home alone, not that he’d believed Pete’s insinuations for a minute. After climbing out and pocketing his keys, he headed up onto the porch and knocked. A few hours before, he would have simply walked inside. Tonight, he didn’t plan to push his luck.

  The door opened slowly, and Leah regarded him with wary eyes. She wore fleece pajama pants and an oversized sweatshirt with her SOU college emblem on the front. Obviously she hadn’t dressed for company.

  “Can I come in?”

  With a nod, she held the door wide then shut it behind him. Without speaking, she led the way into the living room and curled up on one corner of the couch. He sat on the opposite end and tried to ignore the ache in his chest.

  He met her gaze head-on. “I’m sorry, honestly and truly sorry if you think I questioned your character. I didn’t mean my gesture that way. I only wanted to help.”

  “You consider fifty thousand dollars a gesture?”

  When her voice rose, he cringed. “One meant to ease your anxiety. I only want you to be happy, and I know you hoped your grandma could stay in the senior apartments where her social life is centered.”

  Leah’s feet hit the floor with a thump as she stood to pace the room. “She is staying there. I started to tell you she plans to move in with Magnus, her boyfriend . . . or whatever the heck you want to call him. You interrupted me with the check before I could explain.” Her hands shook a little as she fisted them on her hips. “Along with a helping of attitude. Don’t pretend you were thrilled with your noble gesture.”

  “Evie’s moving in with Magnus? You’re okay with that?”

  “It’s not my place to judge. She’s a fully competent adult who’s capable of making her own decisions. They seem to get along well, and I have the feeling they spend most of their nights together, anyway. If this man makes her happy and takes away the loneliness losing my grandpa caused her, then I’m going to support her choice.”

  “Good for you. I wish my mom had remarried after my dad died. I know she struggled with depression over the years but battled her way out of it.” He shrugged. “Now she says she likes living alone. To each his . . . or her . . . own, I guess.”

  “Exactly. We all make our own choices, and sometimes they’re mistakes. We learn from them, grow stronger, and move on. Having friends and family around to support us helps.”

  He eyed her as she stopped by the window to stare out into the darkness. “I’ve admitted I made a mistake. Can we move past it? Please?”

  “I’d like to think we can, and I apologize for snapping at you.” She turned to face him. “But I’m a little concerned. Do you believe everyone you meet is after your millions—or is it billions? Don’t you know me better than that?”

  The hurt coloring her tone tied his stomach in knots. “I trusted Jay implicitly, and he screwed me over. Obviously the end result is I’m slower to place faith in people, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in your integrity.” He patted the cushion next to him. “Can you please sit down and stop pacing like a caged animal? Even Barney is disturbed.”

  They both glanced over at the dog lying on the rug with his nose on his paws. Sad brown eyes followed Leah’s every step.

  “He senses the tension between us.” She crossed the room and dropped down beside Ryan. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “Thank you.” Reaching out, he took her hand and held tight. “I realize we have a few things to settle between us. I love you, and I know you love me, but love doesn’t solve every problem. We loved each other back in high school, too.”

  “Yes, we did, but don’t you think we’re smarter now and more willing to compromise?”

  “I would certainly hope so. Ho
wever, I didn’t want to confuse the situation between us by bringing any sense of obligation into play. My intention was to give you the money with no strings attached. The last thing I’d ever want is for you to feel beholden. However our relationship works out, I need to be one hundred percent certain you’re in it because I’m what your heart wants.”

  “If you believe—”

  He raised his voice. “Come on, Leah, don’t flip out on me again. If you did a big favor for me, don’t you think I’d want to respond in kind? It’s human nature to be grateful.”

  She slumped against the cushions. “I suppose.”

  “That’s why I was reluctant to broach the subject of helping your grandma out of her financial bind. This time around, I want nothing between us but honest feelings.” His grip on her fingers tightened as he tugged her closer and slipped an arm around her. “I guess I should have said all this before I pulled out my checkbook.”

  Leah rested her head against his shoulder. “That would have been nice.” She waved a hand. “Look at my home, Ryan. Most of my possessions are hand-me-downs older than I am. My car was a relic. I dress like I shop at the thrift store, which I’ve been known to do on occasion. I’m in a profession where I take joy from inspiring kids, not in the size of my paycheck. Money is not my top priority in life.”

  “I know that.”

  “Yes, I’ve been worried, but only because I want my grandma to be happy. I’m not dismissive of financial security, but I also don’t let it rule my world.”

  He laid his palm under her chin and tilted her face to look into her eyes. “You make me feel like a total schmuck.”

  Leaning forward, she kissed him then stroked his cheek with her thumb. “You don’t need to feel bad about anything. What I want is for you to let go of Jay’s betrayal and learn to trust again. Hauling around baggage like that isn’t healthy.”

  “Probably not, and I do trust you.” He kissed her back, a lingering caress that almost made him forget what he’d been about to say. “You’re everything I want. Everything I need, and I do believe we’re smarter now.”