“You’re also a joy to hang out with,” he added. “I get the idea, when you aren’t worrying so much, you’ve got the big heart of kid.”
“Guilty as charged,” she laughed. “But really, thanks. I needed a night like tonight.”
“My pleasure.” She swore she witnessed a smile in his eyes, even if his cheeks refused to match it.
He stared at her and she at him, a little too long to be considered polite. Then finally, he tipped his hat once again. “Well…goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
It was weird of her but she watched him until he disappeared into the darkness then carried Samson to the couch, too exhausted to bother with the sheets that needed changed on her bed. Snuggling the wormy pup in her arms, she tugged the afghan she’d watched her mother knit by hand over her length, rested her head to a throw pillow and imagined a warm fire crackling in the hearth. Dwelled on happier times, singing Samson—and herself—softly to sleep.
Just because she hummed the words didn’t mean she meant them.
Chapter Seven
The next morning Hope woke with the birds. Beyond their gentle calls, a calm, peaceful hush blanketed her parent’s cabin, warm and cozy with the combination of their scent, roses and delicious coffee brewing.
“Caleb?” She ought to be worried about him seeing her like this but couldn’t find it in her to care. “What time is it?”
It was no wonder Daddy hung onto this old couch. It was indeed made for sleeping.
Samson began to eagerly lick her hand and she giggled, setting him to the floor as she pulled herself up with a yawn. “Oh, that coffee smells like heaven.”
No answer.
Stretching, she slid on her sunglasses, all too happy to hide the bruising under her eye as she glanced about the empty downstairs. “Caleb? Are you here?”
Samson launched a sniff attack on the easy chair, alerting Hope. “Oh no you don’t, buster!”
She quickly set the puppy out, returning to discover Caleb had left her a plate of eggs and bacon on the counter. A glance to the clock reflected it was almost nine.
Disappointment sunk through Hope as she realized she’d missed his visit. The strange compellation to see him tugged from within.
Dismissing the inappropriate feelings, she tugged the plastic wrap off her plate, slid it in the microwave and programmed the timer for two minutes.
But as she waited, pouring herself a cup of coffee and sipping at the bitter black liquid, she found herself undeniably drawn to the living room window, where a glance out the curtain revealed Caleb leading one of the horses into the red barn, sunlight glistening off the dewy grass.
She couldn’t help but stare, awed by the image he created. One of blue jeans and cowboy hat. Of man and animal. Of strength and grace. Of a simpler, easier life.
Wearing the sunglasses, it was sort of like watching a black and white film. Nostalgic. Classic.
The microwave dinged but she ignored the signal, too engrossed in her sightseeing. Samson went bounding across the field to greet Caleb, a speeding blur of black and white and she laughed as man and puppy played.
For all her worries of yesterday, she was glad she’d come. Happy to be home. Starting over. To have Samson as her new friend…and Caleb too.
Maybe a little too happy, from the way her stomach fluttered at the sight of him hefting a bale of hay as if it were made of pure air.
Not that she was remotely interested in involving herself with any man. At least not for a good while. She was too raw, too broken, to even imagine taking such a chance with her heart. Since she no longer believed in Prince Charming, it would certainly take a lot to earn her trust and admiration this time around.
Letting the curtain drop, she set about eating then showering, thankful to find Caleb had brought her suitcase to her room. Once dressed in Bermuda shorts and a ruffled, striped blouse, she found herself facing both an empty house and day. She called Samson inside, thoroughly disappointed Caleb was no longer anywhere in sight.
During the next five minutes spent with Samson playing sock, anticipation stirred. Perhaps Caleb was done with his chores and soon he’d be back to keep her company. Maybe he’d take her for a walk. Play another round of Mousetrap with her.
When five minutes turned into ten, she opened some windows and gathered the linens to wash, a tedious task on crutches. Guilt nipped at her, reminding her Caleb wouldn’t want her performing chores.
Where was he, anyway?
Any moment now, she expected him to barge in and chastise her for not resting. Corral her to the couch. Instead, her tasks led on.
Each instance she passed her father’s office, something in her beckoned. She denied it, telling herself Caleb would show any minute. That she wasn’t truly alone.
If she went in that office, she was sure to encounter emotion. Caleb probably already thought she was a complete basket case. No need to add to his impression.
But after a multiple trips, the housework went layside and she found herself sitting behind the huge desk where Cyrus Pearson penned many a sermon. Atop a thick notebook opened nearly to the back, a pen rested on a half-written page.
Not having the heart to read what was most likely his last written words, Hope folded the journal closed and tugged the top drawer open to store it away.
There, in the dark confines of the desk, swooping red cursive writing graced a manila folder, reading Plans for Eden Ranch and Retreat.
Hope swept her fingers over file. Father hadn’t written the words. Mom had.
Had they been planning a getaway?
Lying the notebook atop the folder, Hope shut the drawer. Bit her lip. Slid the drawer back open.
Mom had always called this ranch her Eden.
Curious, Hope lifted the folder and laid it on the desk before her, again sweeping her touch over the writing. “Oh, Mom.”
She swept off her sunglasses so she could read better. Inside, she found a map of the ranch, detailed with plans for numerous cabins, a chapel, mess hall and more. On the next page, notes. Ideas on summer camps for kids, outreach programs, adult retreats.
On top of her mother’s writing, her father’s sidebars. Financial estimates.
A date for ground breaking, set this summer, mere weeks after her father’s sudden heart attack.
“You okay?”
At the sound of Caleb’s voice, Hope realized she hadn’t been breathing. Jerking her gaze to his, she swallowed down air. “Yeah, sure. I didn’t know…”
He raised his brow in question. “What’s that?”
“What my parents were going to turn the ranch into. It’s incredible.” Her gaze dropped to the folder once again then returned to his. Though her vision was funny without her sunglasses, it was evident he’d just come from his morning swim by his fresh clothing, missing hat and slicked down hair. “Did you know about the camp? Had my father talked about it?”
“Sure.” Smoothing a hand over his wet, golden hair, he limped into the room and seated himself across from her. “Making your mother’s dream come true was all your father concerned himself with the few times he was here.”
It had been?
“I didn’t speak with my father much in his last days. We were both so busy.”
That wasn’t exactly true. More like she avoided him at every opportunity. He’d always had some well-intended bible quote to throw at her and she hadn’t wanted to hear it.
Still didn’t, though she suspected she’d miss the advice nonetheless.
For so long she’d been angry. That her mother was taken from her. That not once, not even when Emma Jean was at her sickest, had her father given her mother priority over God. That father disapproved wholeheartedly of Neil and the life they led together.
Now, at least on that particular issue, how she wished she’d listened.
But it was too late for so many things. “Mom never mentioned this.”
“Actually, I think she mostly kept quiet about her idea. Your father fo
und the folder in her room about six months back.”
That sounded right. Hope could well imagine her mother’s protests. It’s just a silly dream, darling, she would’ve said. Your father’s work is important.
She’d been important too.
With a grimace, Hope shut the folder. “Do you think you could drive me into town? I need to pick up some groceries and a few things from my car.”
Primarily, her spare glasses he hadn’t known were sitting in her glove box. She was sick to death of wearing sunglasses, which made the world seem so gloomy.
“No problem. Meet me outside whenever you’re ready.” Standing, he took several steps toward the door before turning back, raking his fingers along his jaw. “Hope?”
“Hmm?”
“Just one thing.” Gently his blue eyes touched her, almost caressing.
“Sure. What is it?”
“He talked about you too. Said you were going to love Eden Retreat. He hoped one day you’d take over for him. In fact, he was confident you would.”
With that he walked out, leaving her to that words.
* * * *
“Hey, Elise.” Hoisting a basket of necessities to the counter, Caleb greeted the pregnant red-haired cashier with a nod. Somewhere in the aisles of Lakeside General Groceries, Hope drove the uncannily slow motorized cart, filling her basket. “Not much longer, huh?”
Recently widowed, Elise had lived a sad life in Serenity Cove. Rough childhood, rough marriage, then Ben’s accident struck simultaneously with her pregnancy.
Despite being dealt a rotten hand, she was a woman of admirable faith. Sang in the church chorus and led the kindergarten class for both Sunday school and bible school, always with a smile. She consistently volunteered her time and gave more of herself than anyone he knew.
Mom had hinted a time or ten that he should ask her out but though the girl was pretty enough, she was also too complicated for his tastes, considering she’d come with a ready-made family.
“Another few weeks,” she sighed with a pat to her big belly. “This little tike is a soccer star waiting to be born. This is my last week working.”
“How will Pete live without you?” Elise had been the elderly grocer’s only steady cashier since graduating high school. Many young folks came and went but Elise was a staple. In this store. Their church. Serenity Cove.
“He certainly can’t operate this ‘confounded computerized nonsensical gadget’ himself.” She shot Caleb a smirk that didn’t bode well. “Either he’ll account for your bills on the antique he’s still keeping in the back or close the place all together.”
“And leave us driving all the way to Austin for food? I’ll offer to baby sit first.” With a wink, Caleb set items on the counter one-by-one for her to ring up. “So, you seen my brother around lately?”
“My number one customer?” She laughed. “He was in this morning, stocking up on bait as usual and—” Toilet paper unscanned, whatever she was about to say plummeted along with her jaw as Hope rounded the corner. Somewhere along the way, she’d adopted the Jackson’s tow-headed little boy and was giving him a ride. “Hey, is that…?”
“Hope Pearson, in the flesh.”
Bravely, she let the kid steer, swerving precariously before she’d snatched the wheel, set them straight and returned control to the kid again.
At that moment, Caleb wished he could smile. Couldn’t help but think of the great mom she’d make one day. With the patience she exhibited with Samson, he’d bet she was the best of teachers. She sure could play Mousetrap anyway.
“Wow! I’d heard about her daddy and that she was back in town. So sad.” Distracted, she dropped the toilet paper in the bag unscanned. “I can’t wait to get reacquainted. She and I were buds back in the day.”
Never one to miss a detail—and a little confused by how the heartwarming sight of Hope and child giggling together made him feel—Caleb tore his gaze free and plucked the roll from the bag, presenting it for her laser gun. “That so?”
“You know how shy I used to be.” With a flourish, she tossed his Ramen noodles in the bag and laughed. “Before becoming a cashier, that is.”
What Caleb knew was the she grew up with an abusive father. A drunk of a mother.
“Hope always went out of her way to talk to me,” she went on, stacking bread on eggs. “I’ll never forget how kind she was. She has a big heart.”
A big, bruised heart from what Caleb gathered.
“Well…” Caleb glanced at Hope as she buzzed toward the checkout. “Maybe you can repay the favor. This time around, it’s her who could use a friend.”
Elise glanced at him with questions in her eyes as Hope pulled to the counter, having apparently returned little Joe. Recognition played on her face as she gave a quiet, reserved, “Hello.”
What amazed Caleb was she could laugh and come alive with Joe Jackson but standing before an old friend, it seemed the cat had got her tongue.
Elise blasted her with a welcoming smile that could melt solid ice. “Well, hi darlin’! Come ‘ere, come ‘ere!” Hardly still that timid girl, she waddled around the corner and smothered Hope in a big hug. “How ya been?”
“Um, okay.” Clearly flustered, Hope gave her greeter a double take. “Wow. Elise Young! It’s been forever. How are you?”
“It’s Johnson, now.”
Hope’s gaze fell to her big belly. “Oh, wow…congratulations.”
“Don’t congratulate me too much.” She patted her stomach. “Ben’s dead and I’m gonna be a single mamma.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, I for you as well. I heard about your daddy. And your accident. You feeling better?”
Stocking Hope’s groceries on the counter, Caleb left the two to their conversation, hopeful friendship would bloom anew. Hope needed as many people like Elise on her side as she could get.
As Elise rang up the bill, the overhead bell singled a new customer and Caleb’s little brother strode in cool-as-you-please, clothes muddied, the Igloo lunchbox he carried offering malodorous evidence of its contents. Fresh fish.
Wearing his ridiculous trademark hat riddled with fishing paraphernalia, he held up the container as if he’d just saved the world. “As promised. Dinner for two.”
What was this? “Sounds like a date,” Caleb blurted without thinking. “Wait…is it a date?”
Noah slid him a look that could kill.
“Oh, I…no, of course not.” Blushing as if she’d been caught red-handed, Elise grabbed the cooler. “Thanks. I’ll just put these in the fridge in the back.”
Pregnant and none-too-fast on her feet, she bustled to escort the catch-of-the-day from their presence.
Noah, clearly attune to her sudden tension, called after her, “Hey! What do you call a big fish that makes you an offer you can’t refuse?”
She glanced back at him with a shrug. “I don’t know…?”
“The codfather!”
“Oh.” She forced a smile. “Funny.”
Hope laughed at least, while Elise plain fled. What was going on with that?
“Hey Mr. Funny. Let me talk to you a second.” Caleb hustled Noah outside, holding the door for Ms. Miriam Gentle and tipping his hat in greeting. “Ma’am.”
The older woman’s blue hair bobbed a hello.
“Sorry bro,” Caleb offered once the door shut. “Didn’t mean to make things awkward there.”
“Yeah well…” His gaze darkening unusually, Noah glanced inside. “Whatever. It’s nothing new.”
It wasn’t often Caleb witnessed negative emotion cross his brother’s face. “So you two…?”
“Nothing, man. Don’t worry about it.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, Noah changed the subject. “Listen, I was just about to drive out to your place and take my report. Talked with Tom. Said he gave the car a once over and there was no brake fluid in the lines.”
If that wasn’t fishy, Caleb didn’t know what was. “Does he suspect the car was tampered
with?”
“Not a hundred percent yet but I doubt it. Probably poor maintenance. Anyway, a vacationer came in all in a tizzy over a flat tire and interrupted the inspection. Tom said he’ll let us know more by the end of the day.”
“Good. Stay on it. I’ve got a funny feeling about all this.”
“You know I will.” Noah clapped his shoulder. “I’m not all fishing and fun.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure you aren’t.” But despite Noah’s goofy, laid back ways, Caleb was confident his brother would perform his job to merit should trouble arise. Noah had been, after all, reared a McBryde true and through, same as Caleb. “Just ring me as soon as you know for sure.”
“Will do. I’m gonna get her statement but has she shared anything else with you I should know about?”
“Not much. The situation with the ex is sketchy but Hope says no way. Suspects it might’ve been a reporter who put that tracking device on her car.”
Noah considered that. “Wouldn’t be farfetched if they wanted a story bad enough. Question is, is there a story?”
Caleb was about to respond when he spotted Hope hobbling toward him, purse slung over her shoulder, minus her handicap cart and crutches.
“She’s in a sudden rush,” Noah observed.
“No kidding.” Caleb swung open the door, holding it for her. “Everything okay, Boss?”
“Fine.” But Caleb didn’t believe her stiff smile a minute. Catching her arm, he drew her to a halt. Though she wouldn’t look at him, he witnessed the pain written on her face. The need to escape. “Please, can you just bring my stuff? I’ll meet you at the truck.”
Caleb wasn’t about to allow her to go limping off on her own. “Noah? Would you do the honors?”
“My pleasure. Allow me to help you, ma’am.” Noah offered his arm. “Hey, you know why they don’t play poker in the jungle?”
“Hmmm?” To Caleb’s relief, Hope hesitated but smiled and slipped her arm in Noah’s. “Too many cheetahs?”
“Oh, you got me! Okay, here’s another…”
Shaking his head, Caleb pushed inside under the jingle of the bell. Immediately, the words he heard washed him cold. Froze him in place.
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