by Tanya Agler
Ethel climbed on him and nuzzled his cheek, her short fur grazing his stubble. If miniature pigs didn’t accept people right away, he’d hate to see what happened when they bonded with someone.
“Now, Ethel. Caleb’s not used to you yet.” Lucie clucked her tongue and Ethel retreated to her side of the couch. “You can scratch behind her ears or in the area between her eyes. Miniature pigs are quite affectionate. Here, watch me with Fred.”
She demonstrated, and Fred grunted his appreciation. After feeding him his carrot, Lucie went over and dumped the contents of the bin into a trough. When Ethel remained on the couch, Caleb followed Lucie’s lead and scratched her head, her pig grunts her sign of gratitude.
“How do you feed all the animals?” And how did she make each of them feel loved and wanted? Like each was special in a unique way. The same way she was making him feel.
Lucie came over and sat on the edge of the couch that had probably been rejected by a thrift store. Blowing out a breath, she tucked that errant strand of curly hair behind her ear. “Some people drop off bags of dog and cat food on my porch knowing I take in any animal that comes my way. Others drop off non-clumping kitty litter, which I can also use for the bunnies that live in the guest room. Whether people leave supplies out of guilt or gratitude, I don’t care. They get put to good use.”
“Owen knows about the woodpeckers. I showed him the picture of the nest.” As much as he didn’t want to put any more frowns on her face, Caleb couldn’t hold it in any longer. “He’s talking to the local environmental law attorney who works in conjunction with the Park Service.”
Only Ethel’s grunts broke the silence. For some reason, this pig liked him and wanted his attention. Here Lucie was, collecting strays all around her, animals that people in Hollydale didn’t want, and he couldn’t tell whether he was another stray or not. While he longed for a place in her life, he couldn’t settle for simply being part of her collection.
Then again, the longer her silence stretched out, the more he became convinced she didn’t want him around. With friends like him, who needed enemies?
Ethel tired of him and jumped off the couch. Maybe he’d overstayed his welcome.
“That’s why I respect you. You tell the truth even when it’s hard to do.” Lucie remained perched on the edge of the couch, her open face stormy but serene. “I knew when you snapped those pictures why you were doing it. Is everything settled? Am I losing the center?”
“No, he’s waiting for my final report.”
She reached over and patted his hand. Then her eyes narrowed. “I’m not upset at you.”
Her ability to read him and his moods was astonishing. After several months of dating, Leah had compared him to a rock, unyielding in both emotion and facial expression.
“This is the first time someone has spotted a nest in the wild for a couple years.”
“And of all the places, it graciously chose my land and my chimney.” Lucie moved her hand away, and he regretted losing the tender touch. She rose and clicked off the heater. “Good night, Fred and Ethel. Sleep well.”
That was his cue to rise and return to his temporary home at Jonathan’s. He approached her by the door. “I’ll come to the center tomorrow. Since it’ll be a Friday night, why don’t I take you and the twins to the Holly Days Diner afterward?”
He moved closer, and it was as if the air stilled. He reached out and stroked her cheek.
She pulled back and toed the dirt of the shed with her suede boot. “I don’t think I can accept the dinner invitation...or anything else.”
“I’m sorry if I overstepped there.”
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “No. That’s not it.”
While he should cut his losses and bide his time, he couldn’t walk away like this. “What’s going on?”
Lucie took a deep breath and offered a slight smile. “When Justin was arrested, I visited him and believed every word until the authorities laid out the entire case for me.” Her voice broke, the last syllables husky and breathless.
“I’m not Justin. I came over tonight to tell you everything.” I have to tell her about my parents. His mouth didn’t move, though.
“I know.” She ran her hand through her hair. “Around here, some want me to fail, while others let me lean on them. Until I can prove I can stand on my two feet, I’m not sure I’m ready for anything more than friends.”
“Whatever’s happening, you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here.” Did she believe he’d hurt her on purpose? That he would place himself above the needs and well-being of others? “You haven’t had enough time yet to see I’m different. I won’t go against my principles or turn my back on what’s right.”
“I’ve done everything I can in the past couple of years to try to show people I’m different, I’m worth something. I need time to believe that about myself. I need time to trust again.”
“Lucie.” He rubbed his chin. He wanted to stand out from her collection of animals and from the residents who judged her. Having her notice the real him rather than his accomplishments would be a first step toward something lasting. He understood she wanted to show people she was different, but he needed her to see the same about him. “You’re the best friend I have in the world. I’m here for good, and if there’s one thing that hospital bed taught me, it was patience.”
Conflict warred on her face. “That first night, you asked to turn back time for a fresh start. Now I’m asking for time. Please.”
She opened the shed door, the blast of mountain air downright freezing. It seemed to wake him to the reality of what she was really saying. Leaving her, leaving such a nice family, pigs and all, was harder than he’d imagined, but he nodded. She was worth the wait.
CHAPTER SIX
“GOOD MORNING, SLEEPYHEAD. Izzy and Vanessa are already at school on this rainy but otherwise gorgeous Friday morning.” Jonathan stood near the pantry in his kitchen, searching for something on the top shelf. “Aha. Found my poison.”
Jonathan rattled a box of sugary cereal as Caleb made a beeline for the coffeepot. He selected a plain black mug and filled it to the brim before settling onto one of the benches in the breakfast nook. Wrapping his hands around the mug, Caleb breathed in the rich aroma, willing the caffeine to enter his bloodstream.
Jonathan sat on the opposite bench and poured cereal into his bowl. He then shook the box in Caleb’s face. “Breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day. That’s why I get up early before my shift starts and make Izzy and Vanessa oatmeal. After they board the bus, I save the bad stuff for me. Sure you won’t have some? Only the finest of artificial flavors for us cousins.”
Caleb lifted his cup of coffee and shook his head. “I gave up that stuff when I was a teenager.”
His cousin walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of milk before returning to the breakfast nook. “Hey, where’s your sense of adventure, your sense of childhood?”
“My common sense, you mean?” They laughed as Jonathan settled in front of his breakfast.
“You don’t know what you’re missing.” Jonathan held up a spoonful of chocolate corn puffs and smacked his lips. “Chocolaty goodness in every bite.”
“I’ll take my chances without it, thanks.” Caleb shrugged. “You know I’m looking at rental properties, right? How did you get along without me for so long? What are you going to do without me when I move out?”
“Have time in the bathroom again?” Jonathan munched, contentment written in his smile. “How’s the house hunt going?”
Caleb’s phone rang. Was it Owen reconsidering his decision and calling to say he needed Caleb to report early? Or perhaps it was Lucie? She might have awakened and decided they could save the world one stray at a time before working their way to protecting the woodpeckers together. The screen flashed a picture of his mother, and he sent a longing glance at hi
s cup before answering.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Aunt Tina!” Jonathan’s mouth was full of cereal as he yelled his greeting and Caleb had to wipe off the small spittle of milk that landed on his arm.
“Don’t you love knowing who it is before you answer? Say hello to Jonathan for me, Caleb. I miss those girls of his.” Tina Spindler’s voice came over the line, cheerful as always. “You know you could have sent me to voice mail if it’s too early to talk.”
“Figured it must be important to call this early.” He ran his finger along the rim of the mug.
“Your father’s employer is transferring him back to Hollydale. He applied to be a manager of environmental services at one of their closer facilities and got the job. Isn’t it marvelous?” The joy in his mother’s voice woke him up faster than caffeine could. “We’ve already started packing and should be back before the pink and yellow lady’s slippers begin blooming.”
Lady’s slippers. He’d almost forgotten his mother’s favorite flower. Every April during high school, Caleb searched the mountains for them and presented her with a huge bouquet, the lone exception being his senior year. That year, his mother had brought him the flowers.
“If you’ll be in town in April, guess I’ll have to see if they still grow in the field behind Miller’s Pond over by Lake Pine Falls.”
Jonathan stilled his spoon halfway to his mouth. “Your parents are coming for a visit? Do they have somewhere to stay?”
Caleb shook his head and placed his hand over the receiver. “Not for a visit. They’re moving back permanently.”
And when they did in a few weeks’ time, they’d find out Lucie was now the owner of the Hollydale Training and Wellness Center and that she’d invested a good deal of money in it. While he wanted Lucie to succeed, he didn’t want his mother hurting. After all, it wasn’t possible to live in Hollydale without running into everyone from your third-grade teacher to your dentist on a weekly basis.
“Did Jonathan just ask if we’d like to stay there? That’s such a wonderful offer. Your father and I accept.” His mother must have tucked the phone between her shoulder and her ear as she clapped her happiness, unless...
“Am I on speaker, Mom?”
“Of course. Your father didn’t want to miss your reaction. Say hello, Drew.”
“Hello, Drew.” His father laughed heartily at his joke. “Hi, Caleb. Will we recognize Hollydale?”
“Will we recognize those beautiful girls of Jonathan’s?” his mom chimed in, her smile evident without her even being in the same room.
Jonathan lowered his spoon back into the bowl. “I’m going to need to buy more cereal and a bigger house with all of my guests.”
Nothing was going as planned for Caleb. For so long in Yellowstone, he’d traversed his own trail as a lone wolf. Now everyone was converging on his path.
It was best he told his parents before they heard it from someone else. “Hollydale hasn’t grown that much, but there have been some changes.”
“For the better, from what I’ve heard from my friends. I can’t wait to hike to the falls again,” Tina said.
“It’s still rather treacherous this time of year, Mom.” He took a sip of coffee for courage. “Mom and Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Sounds serious, so I’ll leave you to talk to them without me. I have to get ready for work anyway.” Jonathan rose and carried his bowl to the sink. “Don’t forget you’re picking up Izzy and Vanessa from school. I added you to the authorized list yesterday. You’ll have to show your ID when you get there.” Jonathan exited the kitchen muttering something about having a bathroom to himself when his daughters started college.
Caleb turned his attention back to his mother. “Lucie Decker still lives in Hollydale.”
Silence settled, and it wasn’t hard to imagine the long look his parents were exchanging.
Caleb should have demanded they consult an attorney and go after restitution rather than offering to report whether the retainer fee would be worth it. “Are you still there?”
“I intend to have a long talk with Lucie Decker when I arrive in town. Don’t worry.” Tina clucked her tongue.
That was exactly what worried him—it could destroy any chance he had of Lucie trusting him. Somehow, he’d have to make sure his parents’ paths and Lucie’s didn’t intersect until he could tell Lucie for himself. The vise kept a tight clench.
“We wanted to tell you the good news before we hired movers.” His father’s hearty voice took over. “Busy day ahead. The real-estate agent is coming over to list the house. We’ll call this weekend with our expected arrival day. Your mother can’t wait to see you.”
“Love you, Caleb,” she sing-songed before the click ended the call.
He exhaled the breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. The phone rang again. His mother always did like to hear him echo her sentiment. He pressed Accept without even looking at the screen. “I love you, too.”
“Um, thanks,” a strange masculine voice replied.
Caleb lowered the screen and groaned.
Dr. Keane. Caleb closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He’d told his new doctor he loved him. “My mother was just on the phone.”
“That explains that. Do you have some time this morning to come to my office?”
“I can, but wouldn’t it be easier to discuss whatever it is over the phone?”
“Does ten thirty work for you?” In not so many words, the doctor hammered home his point, and that spot in Caleb’s back acted up.
“I’ll be there.”
* * *
THE MUSTINESS OF the lodge basement made Lucie’s nose twitch. With the exception of the finishing touches for the spa area, which awaited Mitzi’s help, and the three closed rooms on the upper level, which were scheduled to become guest lodging next summer, the rest of the center was almost ready for the staff and their pre-opening orientation in two weeks. Then this place would bustle with activity.
She flicked on the light switch, and Georgie followed her down the stairs—together they were determined to eliminate the stale smell and replace it with freshness.
A little like her life in the past few months. Before the government contacted her and reverted the land back to her, she’d been juggling three jobs and getting nowhere. Eventually, she was able to give her notice at each place. Working until her time was up and creating a business plan had kept her busy while the contractors installed updates. Now she was doing something about the stagnancy that had settled over her since her divorce.
Standing on her own two feet had taken a long time, and she’d thrive from here on out. Mattie and Ethan would be proud of her someday.
Georgie waved at the stale air, and Lucie amended that to thriving with the help of her friends. “Wish there were windows we could open.”
“Not to mention it’s freezing down here without a working furnace.” Lucie winced at her words, a reminder of the deposit the service company required this morning, which had maxed out her business credit card. They’d require the balance upon completion of the services in two weeks. “Thanks for giving up your Friday afternoon for me.”
“For the person who stopped me from leaving Hollydale? Anything. Do you want me to look at the furnace? If it’s anything like a car’s engine, I’ll have it repaired and running in no time.” Georgie lowered her bucket of cleaning supplies and stepped toward the utility room.
“Thanks for the offer.” Lucie dragged the vacuum cleaner behind her and then unlocked the office door opposite the utility room. “But the technician said the compressor is broken, the control board is shot, and the whole system needs replacing to bring it up to code.”
“Sounds expensive.” Georgie picked up her supplies and followed Lucie into the small office.
Expensive was an understatement. “It’s a ma
jor purchase for a lodge as big as this one.” Around three this morning, Lucie had awakened to a line of drool running from the corner of her mouth to her laptop, the mortgage application only half done. Since her home was independent of the limited liability corporation, cashing out a portion of the equity seemed the best way to raise the remaining funds. Between the twins and completing her morning to-do list, she still hadn’t finished the paperwork. She’d have to submit it on Monday if she was going to have enough money for the new furnace.
Pride, however, kept her from mentioning any of that to Georgie.
Instead, she plugged in the vacuum. “This morning, I cleaned the walls in the sister office next door. If you do the same in here, I’ll scrape the peeling paint off in the other room and then stick the painter’s tape to the toe molding.”
Georgie held up her hand. “I’ve painted before. I know the drill.”
Lucie pulled out an extra bandanna from one of her overall pockets. “I borrowed one of Ethan’s red ones as I know you’re allergic to anything pink.”
Georgie snatched it out of Lucie’s hand and scoffed. “Thanks to my stepdaughter, I have a new appreciation for the color.” She wrapped the bright red cloth around her head. “But I’ll take this one anyway.”
“Knock on the wall if you need anything.” Lucie moved to the office next door.
Walking in, she leaned against the wall for a second, letting a wave of dizziness subside before she turned on the light. Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch. If she didn’t eat something soon, she wouldn’t be of much use for the rest of the day. Even though she hated the thought of Georgie working while she frittered away her time, a banana and a peanut butter sandwich would go a long way until dinner.
Her mind made up, she asked Georgie if she wanted anything before heading to the kitchen. Lucie had a peeled banana halfway to her mouth when the doorbell buzzed.
After a longing look at her hasty lunch, Lucie hurried to the front door and found Caleb. Last night she’d asked for patience and yet here he was, standing before her. Had he volunteered to help and she’d forgotten? No, she would have remembered if she’d accepted his offer. Regret at how she’d left things last night roiled through her. He’d been trying to help and she’d made it seem like he’d committed a crime.