by Tanya Agler
Lucie sent Caleb a puzzled look as his mother ushered her into the kitchen. “Since I had to head this way, I only came over to give Caleb written notarized permission to search for the woodpeckers on my land.” She reached inside her raincoat and pulled out an envelope.
Caleb’s mom glanced at Lucie’s unsettled face and then at him. “You know what? I’ll let the two of you talk without me.” She went over and kissed Caleb’s cheek, smooshing his beard. “If you hear of any job openings, let me know.”
“Natalie mentioned her friend Shelby is getting ready to open a lunch café.” Lucie snapped open her raincoat. “You could contact her.”
“If she needs someone in accounts receivable, I’m her person.” Tina sent a nervous smile Lucie’s way and laughed. “You’d think with my bookkeeping experience, I’d have known better than to invest with your husband.”
“You’re a bookkeeper? I’d forgotten.” Lucie rubbed her hands and appeared undecided about something. “Are you looking for something part-time or full-time?”
Another knock at the front door stopped Caleb’s mother before she could answer. Instead, she looked at him and smiled. “This time it’s your father. The hair on my arm is standing on end.”
Caleb rolled his eyes but excused himself to answer the door. Sure enough, his father was waiting on the porch with a suitcase. “It’s too noisy at Jonathan’s.” He frowned as his gaze settled on the umbrella. “I see your mother already arrived.”
“Come in, Dad.” This might be the first fight he’d ever witnessed between his parents, and it was over the woman he loved. He stiffened his shoulders. He wanted his parents to accept his decisions. After all, Caleb was the one who had to live with them. “She’s in the kitchen.”
Caleb bumped into his back when Dad halted without warning. “You didn’t tell me you had company.”
Mom jumped up and clapped her hands. “Great news, Drew. I have a job.”
Lucie’s chin rose and she stepped toward Caleb’s father. “I know Justin hurt a lot of people, but I’ve spent two years apologizing. It’s time for me to move on, and hiring Tina makes perfect sense. Accountability and openness will be the only way I can convince the town I’m here to stay.”
His mother picked up her glass, walked up to his father and dumped the water on him.
“Tina!”
“Oops, look what I have done.” Her monotone and deliberateness left no doubt of her motive. “Now we’ll have to leave the two of them alone to straighten everything out.” She glanced over her husband’s shoulder and met Caleb’s gaze. “Sorry you have to clean up my mess. Soup and pie are a fair exchange. Come on, Drew.”
“But—” his father spluttered, raising his arms, water dripping everywhere.
“Our son is involved with the woman who divorced the man who stole from us. We’ll figure it out as we go along.” Mom grabbed Dad’s arm and pulled him away. “See you tomorrow morning, Lucie.”
Lucie nodded. A second later, the front door slammed, leaving the two of them alone. Her phone pinged with a text. “The furnace installer won’t be here until tomorrow, so I’ll leave since you have the notarized statement. Mitzi is taking care of Ethan and Mattie at my house, and she’s meeting Owen for dinner.” She started for the living room.
“I’ve missed Ethel and Ladybug.” Huskiness coated his voice and he longed to sweep her into his arms until the feeling of home engulfed him and would never let him go again.
Her gaze clouded over as she gripped the doorknob. “I won’t tell Fred. He’ll feel left out.”
“I have enough patience for both of us to get through this.”
“The documents in the envelope give you and Owen permission to scout out my property.” She opened the door. “This isn’t about patience anymore. If anything, my feelings for you are that much stronger. You stand by those you love. Your father is one of those people, and he should be.”
With that, Lucie left. But she still had feelings for him. The talk on the porch hadn’t changed that. Hope gripped him with a promise they might get through this, after all.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SWEAT DRIPPED OFF her forehead, despite the cooler temperatures. This challenge wall lived up to its name.
Lucie gripped the head counselor’s hands while glancing over her shoulder for a signal Tina and Sierra could handle her weight. Before one came her way, Trent pulled her over the climbing wall, his muscular arms a sure sign he was strong enough for this job and well suited given his always positive attitude.
Once Lucie was over the wall, that only left Caleb’s mother and Sierra on the other side. Before too long, Tina smiled at Lucie from the top of the wooden structure. “I had no idea I’d be jumping into the fray of things so quickly. This is what I needed more than anything. For coworkers not to treat me like a fragile violet but like a resilient dogwood flower.” Tina laughed. “Although, next time, I do admit I’d like to test the spa rather than the outdoor ropes course.”
“You’re sure your doctor would approve?”
“I’m not dead, and it’s been a long time since my reconstructive surgery. I’m good.” The tone of Tina’s voice told Lucie to move on.
Trent balanced Lucie on his shoulders while Sierra worked her way up the wall, and Lucie helped lift her over the top. Sierra landed on the ground while Lucie extricated herself from Trent, thankful for her two years of cheerleading experience.
“Good call letting Sierra come over last.” Trent clapped and glanced upward, the gray sky becoming more ominous. “I recommend cutting this short. My four-wheel drive is at Max’s Auto Repair, and I’m borrowing my wife Audrey’s compact today. I want to get back to town while the getting’s good.”
“Agreed. Great work, team. We’re ready for the grand opening on Monday.” Lucie took a few deep breaths and then walked alongside Tina for the short trek to the center. They discussed which new computer apps and programs Tina favored for bookkeeping. Tina’s chatter reminded Lucie so much of her mother’s happy nature.
They reached the upstairs staff conference room for a quick wrap-up of the morning’s activities.
“Does Caleb know how lucky he is?” asked Lucie.
Tina stared at her and grasped Lucie’s hands. “I think that should be my line. I know it’s tough, but time will help, along with the two of us working together. Caleb’s father is slowly coming to terms with everything.”
Until he did, Lucie wouldn’t be able to accept a role in Caleb’s life. She knew what it was like to lose a family member, and she’d never get between Caleb and his parents. Family, whether family by blood, or the family you chose, was too important.
Tina squinted and shook her head. “My husband is a mite stubborn at times, but he has a good heart.”
Lucie’s cell phone rang and she glanced at the Caller ID. Frederick Whitley? She held up her finger. “I have to take this.”
“Ms. Decker, is this a good time?” It was the man himself, not an assistant.
Lucie’s pulse sped up. “It’s a perfect time.”
Tina waved and entered the conference room without her.
“My wife stands up for people she believes in. You made a good impression on her.” Frederick’s tone made it clear she still had to win over one more Whitley.
Allowing her business to speak for itself was her best option. “The Hollydale Training and Wellness Center would love to make a good impression on both of you. Anytime you’d like to tour the place, I’ll escort you personally. Then I’ll present an attractive proposal package that’ll give you an overview of our services and pricing structure. Good group morale can always be made better. We strive to bring authenticity and cooperation to the forefront.”
A pencil tapping in the background encouraged her that Frederick was considering her offer. That was a step in the right direction. “How does next Tuesday afternoon work for you?
”
Lucie had to hold back a cheer. “My staff and I will be at your service.”
After the call ended, Lucie entered the conference room and whooped for joy. “That was Frederick Whitley.” At Sierra’s blank stare, Lucie elaborated. “He runs a manufacturing plant. He’s turning more toward philanthropic efforts and is building a new nature conservancy. He’s a big supporter of using environmentally friendly products.”
Tina cleared her throat. “That name sounds familiar for a different reason.” Lucie winced. “The Whitleys invested in Justin’s Ponzi scheme and lost a good deal of money.”
“What made him call you and ask for a tour?” Tina opened her laptop and stared at Lucie.
“I spoke to him at the Sunset Soiree. Since I hadn’t heard from them, I wasn’t holding out much hope. He said his wife convinced him to give us a chance.” Lucie smiled. “And if Mrs. Whitley succeeded in changing her husband’s mind...”
“This gives you hope Drew will come around.” Tina finished her sentence for her.
A little hope might be exactly what the doctor ordered. The business was coming together, with the baseball manager, Jared Engel, agreeing to endorse the center, more Hollydale residents were seeing the real her, and Caleb’s patience was a hopeful sign, too.
Life was looking up.
* * *
CALEB STUCK HIS hickory walking stick in the ground, the log where he’d spotted the original nest in plain sight. The suet birdfeeders he’d placed in various areas showed signs of activity. He’d examine the footage on the motion-sensor cameras later for verification it was the Timber River woodpecker.
The decaying oak rested a ways off, and Caleb turned to Owen. “Are you up for examining the log, or do you need to get back to the station?”
“Let me check to see if I have any messages.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, Owen pulled out his cell phone. “Amazed I still have service.”
“I talked with Lucie about that before I signed the lease. She has a signal booster amplifier for her business. It must reach out this far.” Caleb picked up his stick, the extra stabilizing force helping to control the twinges in his back. While the exercises and physical therapy were good, the weather aggravated his herniated disk. There was no way he would admit that to Owen, though. Better to rest tonight.
Coming home to a silent, empty cabin felt as gray as the overhead clouds. He should go to the animal shelter this weekend and check out the dogs.
Better yet, Lucie had rescued him since he’d been back. It was his time to make a stand and fight for her. Tonight, he’d take her and the kids out to dinner and plead his case.
She was worth fighting for. That thought alone lifted his spirits.
Owen planted his phone back in his pocket. “We have time to investigate. The National Weather Service issued a statement saying the front is moving slower than expected. It’s stalling over Kansas. No precipitation expected until the middle of the night.”
They narrowed in on the decaying tree where Ethan had first showed Caleb the nest. Without disturbing anything, Owen extricated his digital camera from his pocket and converted his walking stick to a photo mount, which he planted in the packed soil. He centered the camera and snapped pictures while Caleb checked out surrounding logs, finding evidence of two other nests.
Caleb returned as Owen was packing up his camera. “Four eggs in one a couple hundred feet away and six in the other.” Caleb had checked the site for common grackles or other predators of woodpecker eggs. With the weather taking a backward dip into winter, snakes wouldn’t come out of hibernation until next month. One less worry.
“This one has three.” Owen reached for his walking stick, lifting it from the ground and filling in the slight hole left behind from the divot.
The hesitation in Owen’s voice was clear, and Caleb didn’t like it. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Owen glanced at the log then at Caleb. “Once I receive your final report about the woodpecker habitats, I’ll talk with Lucie about restricting activity in the area. I’ll work in conjunction with the other area agencies, but we have to preserve an endangered species, especially one with such an important role in the local ecosystem.”
“Lucie is trying to start her corporate training and wellness business out here.” Even to his ears, his words sounded hollow. He reached for his reusable water container and swallowed a big swig. “Can I tell her first?”
“Of course. Working with her instead of around her is always the preferable approach.”
Owen left no doubt. His boss would find a way to protect the woodpeckers’ habitat, even if it signaled the downfall of Lucie’s livelihood.
* * *
LUCIE LOCKED THE door of the lodge behind her, checking it was shut and the security system activated. The sound of a car pulling up in the parking area gave her pause. A police squad car approached the circular drop-off area, and her legs wobbled for a second. Mattie? Ethan? Had something happened to either of them? She blinked and dismissed the notion—she had just received a text from Natalie that they were okay.
Mike emerged from his squad car with the coffee tin in hand while whistling a jaunty tune.
Lucie met him halfway. “Good news, I take it?”
“I checked with District Attorney Stuart Everson at city hall. I also put out feelers to a couple other agencies. Everyone said it’s yours.” Mike presented the tin to Lucie, and she accepted it. “Stuart paid particular attention to the soldiers. He said they’re in good condition—he looked rather distraught at having to give them up.”
They laughed. “Thanks.” She held up the tin, the faded blue label peeling on the sides. “Mattie and Ethan will love this.”
She hesitated, but it was best to go full speed ahead so there’d be no accusations down the road. “There’s no chance anything in here could be ill-gotten gains? I don’t want that hanging over me.”
Mike shook his head and folded his arms. “We made all the checks we could. And besides, the coins in there aren’t worth much. Inside you’ll find an inventory. We consulted with a coin shop in Asheville. The dealer said the coins are worth sixteen, seventeen dollars tops for the lot of them. If anything, they’ll make a great display for your center.”
Relief exhaled out of her. No one could accuse her of covering anything up. “Good to know.”
“The weather’s supposed to take a turn for the worse. Do you need me to follow you into town?”
“No, I have to send a few texts before I start driving. Then I’m heading home.”
“Be sure to let Georgie and me know you got home safely.”
Lucie waved goodbye and clutched the tin to her chest. Mattie and Ethan would be thrilled with this surprise. This might perk them up as they’d taken Caleb’s absence harder than expected lately. Even Mattie.
Caleb deserved to be there when she announced the tin’s return to the twins. She texted him, inviting him to dinner. His acceptance was immediate. This evening she didn’t know what Mattie and Ethan would welcome more: the tin or Caleb. Of course, there was no contest. Ethan, Ladybug and Ethel would fawn over Caleb all night. Lucie would be lucky if she got a word in edgewise.
They weren’t the only ones who’d missed him, though. Rather than delegating Caleb to the far recesses of her heart, Lucie had found the past week without Caleb excruciating.
When his father accepted her, Lucie and Caleb might stand a chance, especially after she explained the revelation Mitzi had gifted her with: Lucie had been running away from her heart, fearing commitment, fearing herself.
That was no way to live. Loving meant opening yourself to someone and sharing the good and the bad, the funny and the serious, the pigs and the dogs.
Love was all about chance. You didn’t choose who you loved—you just loved them. To some, Ladybug, with her doggie overbite and constant slobber, might not be the most beaut
iful dog, but she was all Ladybug, loyal and sweet. And Lucie loved her.
Did Lucie love Caleb? That scared her. Although his patience with Mattie and Ethan, his commitment to nature, and how he made her feel respected and loved was proof that he was worthy of her love. More than that, they’d shared kisses—short ones, long ones, ones she felt all the way to her toes. That went beyond friendship. He’d been patient with her, and together they could show patience and mend the rift with his father.
For once, she’d fallen for someone who would believe in her, would fight for her, would cherish her. While the treasure in the coffee tin had turned out to be a shadow, more of a curiosity and a talking piece rather than a substantial find, Caleb was no shadow and neither were her feelings for him.
She loved Caleb.
Starting her car, she smiled, knowing tonight would be the night she found out whether Caleb loved her.
Tonight could be the best night of her life.
* * *
CALEB STRETCHED HIS back muscles on Lucie’s front porch, clutching the planter with morning glories trailing over the sides. Red roses might be the usual expression of love, but he didn’t want something here today and gone tomorrow. With a little care and diligence, this planter would cultivate vines that they could plant in her yard when spring came to stay.
For he’d arrived tonight with a mission. No more buried treasure under the surface, no more burrowing a nest into a log. Only honesty moving forward. From the beginning of their friendship, they’d laughed together and found common ground. Now, all these years later, there was something scary about leaving friendship on the porch, seeking something more with the person who, ultimately, knew him as well as he knew himself. But it was right. He loved Lucie. She made him feel so at ease, so loved.