More Than a Touch: A Snowberry Creek Novel

by Alexis Morgan

  In the end, she’d laid it all out for him. Progress of any kind was a good thing. Patience was as much a part of his recovery as was diligence in doing his therapy. No one, especially not her, could give him a hard date where he would be able to walk out her door and not look back.

  The more she’d talked, the quieter he’d gotten. She would’ve been more comfortable with a show of temper than she was with the unnatural calm that had masked his real reaction. She had been tempted to whack him on the head with her rubber hammer to try to break through the stone wall he had erected between them.

  It was hard to believe the chilly stranger sitting across from her was the same man who had been so charming the night they’d had dinner at the café and at the potluck before that. As the two of them sat in her office, the distance between them had grown far greater than the width of her desk. She couldn’t imagine ever having kissed the guy, much less wanting to do so again.

  Didn’t the idiot realize how fragile the human body was? Doctors sometimes worked miracles, but they could do only so much with what they had to work with. The reports on Leif’s leg and ankle had made it clear that the surgeons had been working on a jigsaw puzzle where not all the pieces were made to fit back together.

  In the end, he’d thanked Zoe for her time and quietly promised to continue his exercises and appointments with Isaac. He’d said all the right things, but she couldn’t quite believe he had meant any of it. She’d cursed and thrown his chart against the wall as soon as he walked out the door.

  But that was then. Right now, she needed to get past the frustration so she could sleep. At least tomorrow was her day off. Outside on the sidewalk, she debated which way to go. She ignored the late-night siren call of the Creek Café and a piece of Frannie’s pie. A long walk would be a far better use of her time. The exercise would burn off the tension and give her a good workout at the same time.

  She set off at a brisk pace, following a familiar route that would take her down to the park by the creek. Experience had taught her that a few minutes listening to the soothing sound of the water rippling over the rocks would help her relax enough to sleep.

  • • •

  Her steps slowed when she reached the edge of the park and realized she wasn’t the only one out for a stroll. A man stood by the creek, his attention riveted on something down at the edge of the water—a dog.

  Well, there was no need to disturb the pair. She could cut across to the path a little farther up the creek and walk upstream from there. Still, something about the guy seemed awfully familiar, maybe in the way he stood leaning a bit to one side. She slowed her steps as she studied him from a distance.

  It finally hit her that the guy was leaning on a cane. Could it be? He was the right height and build. He stood with his back to her at the edge of some dark shadows, so it was impossible to tell for sure. Come to think of it, the dog looked familiar, too.

  Deciding it was worth the risk, she changed directions again. After making her way to the edge of the water a short distance from where he stood staring out into the night, she called his name.

  “Leif?”

  No response. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t him. She edged a little farther away and prepared to retreat to the street behind her. Before she’d gone two steps, he finally realized he was no longer alone.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but did you . . . Zoe, is that you?”

  The familiar voice had her spinning back around again. “Leif, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude, but I was pretty sure that was you.”

  The nurse in her noticed he was leaning pretty heavily on the cane as he stepped onto the lighted pathway. However, it was the woman in her who took note of the broad shoulders, the ruggedly handsome face, and the engaging smile that he aimed in her direction.

  “I see I’m not the only one who needed a breath of fresh air before turning in for the night.”

  She nodded. “Sometimes the day closes in on me, and I need to get out for a while.”

  The dog had been sniffing along the edge of some bushes. As soon as he realized she was talking to his human, he came trotting over to check her out.

  “Who’s your handsome friend, Leif? We were never formally introduced at the potluck.”

  “That’s Mooch. My unit adopted him after he saved us on a night patrol in Afghanistan.”

  She knelt down to pet the dog. “Seriously? He did? That’s great you guys could bring him back to the States with you.” Leif shifted restlessly as if the subject made him uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “No, it’s all right. We’d been clearing streets for hours and were dragging our exhausted asses back to camp. From out of nowhere, this half-starved mutt started following us. Mooch would’ve sold his soul for a piece of beef jerky and was smart enough to peg Spence Lang as the soft touch in our squad.”

  He paused for breath. “Anyway, a few minutes later Mooch started pitching a fit and barking at something in an alley we were about to pass. Turns out one of the locals had a little surprise planned for us. The bastard shot Mooch to shut him up.”

  “Oh, no!”

  The dog whined softly and licked her hand as if to remind her that he’d clearly survived the incident.

  “Yeah, our boy there definitely took one for the team. You can still feel the scar underneath the fur on his shoulder.”

  Leif leaned down to give his buddy a good scratching. “When we got back to camp, Spence got the dog patched up, figuring he deserved that much. Our deployment was winding down, and Spence couldn’t stand the thought of tossing Mooch back out on the streets when we left. Actually, none of us could.”

  Leif sounded embarrassed to admit that about himself, but she thought it was sweet. “I can understand why. He’s a handsome fellow.”

  “Not so sure about that,” Leif said with a soft laugh. “Anyway, Spence did all the grunt work on the arrangements to have Mooch shipped home. It was Nick who made sure it happened when Spence couldn’t, figuring he would’ve wanted it that way.”

  Aware that he wouldn’t want her sympathy about what had happened to him and his friends, she settled for giving his furry companion a quick hug before straightening up. “Were you two heading back home?”

  “No, we just got here. Mooch likes to explore off his leash, so I was letting him wander a bit. I thought I’d walk along the creek for a while before we go back to the house.”

  “Mind if I walk with you?”

  “Not at all as long as I don’t slow you down too much.” He patted his leg again. “As long as I don’t push it, it feels good to be out moving around.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, Leif.”

  A few steps later, he said, “I was a jerk again today in your office. It was a lot to process.”

  On impulse, she looped her arm through his in the hopes he would understand that the gesture meant his quasi apology was accepted. “I know it was, Leif, but let’s agree that what happens in the office stays in the office. Out here, we’re simply two people and one heroic dog out to enjoy the evening air. Fair enough?”

  His smile was more genuine now. “Fair enough. Come on, Mooch, keep up.”

  The silence that settled between them was comfortable and relaxed. Once again, she’d given in to the temptation to enjoy this man’s company. It wasn’t smart, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. He was hurting; they both were. Yeah, she was skirting the edge of impropriety with a patient, but right now he needed her more than she needed to follow the rules.

  That was her excuse and she was sticking to it.

  • • •

  Early the next morning, Leif was wide awake and feeling pretty perky, especially considering how late he’d gotten to bed. After he and Zoe had walked along the creek, he’d coaxed her into splitting a piece of Frannie’s pie. Since Mooch was with them, they’d wound up outside on the wooden bench where some of the town’s old codgers sat during the day.

  Afterward, Zoe had insisted that they walk to
her place so she could drive Mooch and him back home. Since he’d gotten to bed well after midnight, he shouldn’t be feeling perky at all. Leif frowned. Okay, maybe “perky” wasn’t a manly enough word to describe his mood. It was more like something Spence would’ve said to get a rise out of his friends.

  Leif stared up at the ceiling, determined to linger in bed a little longer. “Spence, you always were a pain in the ass, but I miss you, buddy. It seems strange to hang around here in Snowberry Creek with people who knew you, too.”

  Rather than the usual sharp pain of grief, he found himself grinning. “You must have been a holy terror when you were a teenager, Wheels. Frannie at the diner has promised to share some hair-raising tales about your high school exploits next time I’m there. Wish I had known you back then. We’d have kept the cops around here on their toes—that’s for sure.”

  The patter of claws on the hardwood floors served as warning that Leif’s horizontal time was at an end. Rather than wait for Mooch to pounce on the bed, Leif rolled upright and sat on the edge of the mattress.

  Disappointed that his favorite morning game had been canceled, Mooch parked his backside on the rug by the bed and waited impatiently for Leif to get moving. The dog’s tail did a slow sweep across the floor when his human managed to stand up.

  “Come on, dog,” Leif grumbled as he shuffled out of the den and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll let you out while I start breakfast.”

  Mooch barked his approval and headed over to wait by the door. Leif left it propped open so the dog could come back in when his business was done. Mooch’s morning routine was pretty involved. He would start by marking his territory and then do a full perimeter search of not only this yard but also the one next door. After all, who knew how many squirrels had invaded his territory during the night?

  Lucky bastard. Leif envied the dog’s easy acceptance of his new purpose in life. Mooch had it good: a permanent home here in Snowberry Creek with two people who would make damn sure he lived out his days in peace.

  Leif should have it so good. When he tried to picture himself settling down here in Snowberry Creek, the picture wouldn’t quite come into focus. It came close, though, especially since he knew his friends would be living there.

  Tired of his own pity party, he slammed a skillet down on the stove and got out the bacon and eggs. When Mooch started barking like crazy, Leif glanced outside. Callie was headed his way but was having trouble walking with Mooch bouncing all around her like a damn yo-yo.

  Leif stood in the doorway and yelled, “Dog, if you want any of this bacon I’m cooking, you’ll stop that before you trip her.”

  Mooch immediately settled down to trot by Callie’s side. Leif returned to the counter and set out another coffee cup. “I’m just starting the bacon, Callie, but the coffee’s about ready. Help yourself.”

  She poured each of them a cup, automatically loading his up with sugar and cream.

  “Want some eggs, too?”

  “I wouldn’t turn down a couple of pieces of real bacon. Mom is watching Dad’s cholesterol like a hawk, which is a good thing, so I’ll have to depend on you to keep me supplied with the good stuff.”

  Leif dutifully added another couple of strips to the skillet while Callie set the table for two and put bread in the toaster. He waited until she sat down at the table to speak.

  “So, what brings you out so early this morning?”

  Callie bent down to rub Mooch’s belly before answering. “Gage Logan stopped by yesterday evening to talk to me. He’d hoped to talk to Nick, too, but hadn’t realized he was already gone. He wanted to update us on Austin’s hearing that’s scheduled for next week. Thursday at ten o’clock.”

  “I know. I wrote it down.”

  He pointed toward the calendar on the side of the refrigerator with the tongs he was using to turn the bacon. Deciding it was done, he set the strips on a paper towel to soak up the excess grease and dumped the eggs into the skillet.

  “He didn’t need to drive out here to remind us of the court time. What else did he have to say?”

  Callie took a sip of coffee before answering. “It seems the public defender staged a preemptive strike and asked the court to consider giving Austin probation and maybe community service instead of more jail time. Since it’s his first offense, the judge is actually considering it.”

  There had to be more to this than just the lawyer’s request.

  Callie was frowning big-time now. “It seems Austin’s boss and several of his coworkers have come forward on their own as character witnesses to testify he’s been a good employee, reliable and all of that. The attorney is claiming the break-ins were out of character for Austin, and that he was only driven to take such desperate action because he was working for minimum wage and needed to help support his ailing father.”

  What a load of crap. “So what does all of this have to do with you and me?”

  Because Callie wouldn’t be avoiding looking him in the eye if it was only about her and maybe Nick.

  “According to Gage, it would really help Austin’s case if I were to support the idea. The only real question is about Austin’s attack on you. He admits he broke the window, but he denies ever hitting you. He claims he heard you hit the floor and ran in to check on you.”

  “Bullshit! I was knocked out cold that night. I even have the scar to prove it.”

  Callie held up her hands as if to surrender. “I know, I know, Leif. But here’s the thing: When I was dusting that room the next day, I found blood on the corner of the end table next to the hide-a-bed. What if you did fall getting out of bed when you heard the glass break and hit your head there?”

  He found himself rubbing his temple, trying to remember the details of that evening. The trouble was he’d been on some pretty heavy pain meds and had no memory of how he came to be passed out on the floor. Translation: The kid’s explanation was possible.

  “He also said he put a pillow under your head before he took off. I don’t know how else the pillow would’ve gotten there. In fact, Nick apologized to me later for ruining the pillowcase when he used it to wipe the blood off your face.”

  Again, the explanation was plausible—not that it excused Austin for breaking into the house in the first place. However, Callie’s words were tentative, as if she was actually considering offering that punk a lifeline.

  Like hell! This wasn’t some teenager. He had to be in his early twenties. At Austin’s age, Leif had already done his first tour in Iraq and was on the verge of beginning another deployment.

  No matter what, though, Callie didn’t deserve the sharp side of Leif’s temper. With considerable effort, he reined it in and bought himself some time by buttering the toast. The eggs were done, too, so he scooped them into a bowl. After putting the food on the table, he sat down across from Callie.

  After they’d each filled a plate, he made himself ask, “Are you actually buying that line of crap?”

  She’d been about to take a bite of her bacon, but she set it back down on her plate. “Not exactly. We both know that if Austin does do hard time in prison, he’ll come out worse than he went in. That is, if he survives at all. So, yes, I’d rather give him a chance to make restitution and turn his life around. If he screws up again, at least I will have tried. It’s not like I have any big emotional attachment to any of the stuff he took. It all belonged to his family anyway.”

  Leif knew right where this was headed. “And despite knowing that Spence wanted you to have all of his stuff, you feel guilty about ending up with everything.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “Yeah, I do. Maybe that’s stupid, but I can’t help feeling that way.”

  They both lapsed into silence as they ate. Who was he to blame her for feeling guilty about the situation they all found themselves in? After all, if Nick had made a different choice that day, it would’ve been Leif who died in the street. Nick felt guilty because he’d been the one in charge, and Spence had died on his watch. Callie felt guilty be
cause she’d profited from a friend’s death. There was plenty of guilt to go around.

  Aw, heck, what the hell?

  “If you want to give the punk a break, I’ll back your play.” He pointed his fork at her. “But if Nick explodes over this, I won’t take the heat alone. In fact, I’ll tell him you waited until I was in a pain-pill stupor and browbeat me into accepting the idea.”

  She laughed, just as he’d hoped. “It’s a deal. If he asks, it’s all on me.”

  “Is there anything we need to do other than show up at the hearing?”

  “I’ll call Gage and found out. And, Leif?”

  “Yeah?”

  She got up and came around to his side of the table to give him a quick hug. “Thanks for being so understanding, even if you really do hate the whole idea.”

  “You’re welcome. But I repeat, if Nick comes unglued, I’m throwing you to the wolves.”

  “Fair enough.”

  She sat back down, her mood obviously improved. “I saw you and Mooch leave for a walk last night. How did that go?”

  “Fine. We only went as far as the park. I mostly let him run around for a while.”

  “And you didn’t see anybody else?”

  Her question sounded a little too coy for it to be totally innocent. What did she know? Enough, it would seem, considering the smug smile she was shooting in his direction.

  He might as well fess up and get it over with. “I might have run into Zoe Phillips at the park.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Might have? You don’t know for sure?”

  Busted. “Okay, I did run into her at the park. She was out for a walk, too. We talked for a little while, had a piece of pie at the diner. Afterward, she drove Mooch and me back here. Then I went to bed. Alone, in case you’re wondering.”

  “I’ve always liked Zoe.” Callie poured herself another cup of coffee. “And before you ask, I wasn’t spying on you. Bridey happened to be driving by when you two were leaving the park. She mentioned it when I stopped by her shop for a latte on the way back from my run this morning.”

  Okay, that did it. He set his mug down with a little extra force. “You went to Bridey’s and didn’t bring me back a muffin?”