“In the meantime,” Sue said, “You’ll want to pick up some dog food so your new friend here doesn’t go hungry. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from the owners, so you can make arrangements for them to come get him.”
Thanking her, Pierce picked the box up and followed Sarah back out, grateful when she held the door for him. “I guess I’m off to the supermarket then.” His coffee would clearly have to wait for a more convenient time.
“If you need any help with Fido there, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Fido?”
She shrugged one shoulder with careless abandon. “It’s generic, which might be best since he’s not staying.”
He considered that and eventually nodded. “Fido it is then. And about that help you were just offering. I don’t suppose you know anything about taking care of a dog, besides the obvious.”
“No, but how hard can it be?” He must have looked hesitant because she immediately laughed and gave him a reassuring slap on the shoulder before saying, “Don’t worry. People acquire pets all the time, and one way or other they figure out how to go about it.”
“Like kids, except easier, I suspect.”
Her smile faded and she suddenly looked too serious for her age. “Yeah,” she murmured. Taking a step back she pulled her car keys from her pocket and jangled them between them. “It was great seeing you again, Pierce, but I really should get back to my errands. See you around though, right?”
He watched as she backed away, curious about her reaction. She was clearly fleeing his company. “Right,” he said, confirming the statement with a firm nod before heading across to his own car and putting the puppy inside. Once again, he had the distinct feeling he’d said the wrong thing and that whatever bond they’d formed in the past half hour had been undone in the space of one second.
Chapter Four
As it turned out, taking care of a puppy was not as simple as Pierce had hoped it would be. He’d woken up every night since acquiring the tiny beast to find him either standing in a puddle of pee or roaming restlessly about. One of Pierce’s slippers had been turned into a chew toy, and the dining room table leg wore teeth and scratch marks that tempted Pierce to toss his new housemate out. But one look in those big blue eyes was always his undoing. And if the puppy happened to lick him as well, then all would be forgiven. The worst part was that Pierce had a niggling suspicion the puppy sensed this and was taking advantage.
Still, after searching for a few puppy-training tips online, Pierce had begun hurrying outside with Fido whenever he started sniffing around as well as first thing every morning. For the most part it appeared to be working. The accidents seemed to be decreasing somewhat. Pierce was also enjoying the short walks he’d started taking with the dog.
“He’s just what you always wanted,” he said, returning home one afternoon with Fido in tow and talking to Caroline as though she were there to listen. “Such a good dog.” He went to one of the cabinets and grabbed a treat, then held it in Fido’s direction. “Sit,” he said, allowing the treat to hover above the dog’s nose and then moving it slightly back. Fido barked, but Pierce’s gesture got him to look up, prompting him to lower his hind legs and sit. “Well, done,” Pierce said as he handed over the treat and patted the puppy’s fuzzy head.
He went to the sink and washed his hands, enjoying the feel of another presence in the room with him as Fido ate his treat and then settled down in a corner, eyeing Pierce as he went about his business. Pierce fixed himself a coffee and prepared to start on dinner.
Grabbing the beef he’d defrosted overnight, Pierce cut it into large chunks and dropped them into the biggest pot he owned. Next, he found some potatoes which he peeled, diced, and added to the meat. A few onions and carrots followed, along with a bit of garlic. He was just starting to add water when the distinct sound of a car rolling up the driveway caught his attention.
He stepped out of the kitchen and looked out the nearest window, surprised to see Sarah getting out of her car. He hadn’t heard from her since their run-in with each other in Dawson a few days earlier and had started to think he wouldn’t again until it was time for them to start work. Taking a moment, he watched as she opened the trunk of her car and pulled out a couple of cardboard boxes, stacking them in her arms.
Seeing her almost slip, Pierce ran to the door, flung it open, and hurried outside to help. Before he could close it again, Fido decided to follow. “I didn’t realize you were coming,” he said as he took the boxes from Sarah and started looking about for the dog. Sarah spotted him first and easily scooped the rascal up in her arms. Thanking her, Pierce led the way toward the house. The chill air was snapping at his skin, already burrowing its way beneath the thick wool of his sweater.
“I wasn’t planning to, but Grandpa insisted,” she said, following him inside. “I did call, you know, but it just kept ringing.”
“I was probably out walking Fido at the time.” He placed the boxes on the dining room table while she closed the door. “We just got back shortly before you arrived.”
She set the dog down and scratched him gently behind one ear. “How’s the whole dog- sitting situation going for you?”
“If you must know, I rather like the company even if it has cost me a table and a nice pair of slippers. My carpet may also need –a deep cleaning, but hey, his cuteness is hard to resist.”
Laughing in response to his comment, she gave the puppy another thorough petting. “You’re doing the right thing. A little guy like this doesn’t belong on the street.”
“I agree with you there. I just hadn’t realized how much work it would be.”
“It’s worth it, though. Right?” She rose to meet his gaze.
“Damn straight.” He could never have turned his back on a puppy. And this one…he represented more to Pierce than Sarah knew. Uncomfortable with that thought, he gestured toward the boxes he’d just helped her carry. “So…what’s all this?”
Removing her gloves, she stuck them in her pocket and shrugged. “Nothing much. Just some lasagna and an apple pie.”
Surprised, he tipped the lid on one of them and looked inside. “You cooked for me?”
“No. Of course not.”
He turned to look at her and saw her entire face portrayed her annoyance. “No?”
She bit her lip, crossed her arms, and then uncrossed them again as if she couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position. “I always make too much food, considering there’s just the two of us, and since you’re over here by yourself, Grandpa insisted we share.”
“Well, I appreciate it,” Pierce told her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She started turning away, and he realized then that she was already leaving. “Sarah.” Her name brought her to an immediate stop. “Why don’t you take off your coat and stay for a bit? Unless, of course, you need to get back quickly?”
For a second she said nothing, and he found he was holding his breath in anticipation. Nothing – no books or movies – could compensate for human contact. So as she stood there, her mind not quite made up, he prayed she wouldn’t rush off but that she’d grant him the interaction he craved.
“All right,” she agreed. “But only if I can have another one of those cookies you served the last time I was here.”
He almost smiled, then collected himself and let it die on his lips. “There’s a fresh pack in the kitchen. I’ll just go get it.” Removing her coat, she followed him through and took a seat at the island with a casual ease that surprised him. Liking it, he grabbed a plate for the cookies, filled it, and set the piece of china on the counter in front of her. “Would you like some coffee as well?”
“That would be great. Thanks.” She watched while he gathered cups and went to fetch the coffee. “You were cooking?”
Glancing at her, he saw she was looking at the stove where the pot stood waiting. “Just some soup.”
“What kind?”
He returned to the island with two full cups of coff
ee and handed one to her before offering milk and sugar to go with it. “Beef and vegetable,” he said as he went back to the stove and put more water in the pot. Sparking a flame, he threw in a few cubes of beef stock along with some salt and pepper and the carrots and potatoes he’d peeled and diced earlier. “My mom taught me how to cook. She always insisted it was a useful skill to have even though I never really enjoyed it.” He took a seat on the stool next to Sarah, turning slightly so he could look at her while he spoke. “I mean, I know the basics, but for some reason it never seems to come out as good as I would have hoped.”
“I don’t make much soup myself,” she said. “In my experience it can be difficult adding flavor when most of what you have is water. Meat and vegetables never seem to cut it for me.”
“Bouillon cubes help.”
“A mandatory provision to any pantry.” She sipped her coffee, then reached for a cookie and took a bite. “These really are delicious.”
Pierce watched as crumbs dusted her fingertips. He handed her a napkin. “How long have you been living up here with your grandfather?”
“Since I was twenty.”
“So that would be…”
She gave him a wary look. “Five years.”
“Wow. That’s a pretty long time.” He paused for a moment, deciding whether or not to probe deeper. Eventually he said, “I’m guessing you went to school in Dawson?”
“Yes.”
“What about college?”
Her expression cooled and her eyes hardened. “What’s with all the questions?”
The resentment with which she spoke caught him off guard. “I…” He shook his head. “I was just making small talk, I guess.”
“Really?” Her tone was harsh, perhaps even a little bit hurt. He couldn’t quite tell. “Then why don’t you tell me more about yourself, Pierce? Why did you decide to come all the way here?”
The words nipped at the back of his neck. He stilled. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re clearly not a miner.”
“Why do you say that?”
She stared at him. “Are you serious?”
He nodded, more curious now than anything else. “Yeah.”
“Okay. If you really want to know, you’re too corporate looking.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
She hesitated for a second before saying, “Look, I don’t like to stereotype, but none of the miners I’ve met over the years have ever worn a sweater that looks so expensive. What is that? Cashmere? And this cabin…you went all out, sparing no expense whatsoever, which suggests you’re planning to stay for awhile. However, as far as I know, my grandfather and I have been your only guests so far.”
“You’ve been keeping track?”
“It’s hard not to when we live as close as we do.” She shook her head slightly. “The point is, it doesn’t seem as though you have friends or family close by, which makes me wonder what you’re doing here and, perhaps more importantly, what you’re running away from.”
“Leave it alone,” he told her more sharply than he’d intended.
She just continued to stare at him until he eventually got up and went to check on the soup. “It’s unpleasant when people start looking too closely, isn’t it?” she asked. “When they start to see the secrets we try to protect?” Saying nothing, he grabbed a spoon and began to stir, not looking at her as she spoke. “I’ll make a deal with you,” she told him quietly.
“What kind of a deal?” Turning his back on the stove, he crossed his arms and looked at her.
“You don’t ask me about my life, and I won’t ask you about yours.”
“I suppose that could work.”
She held his gaze. “Good.”
Regretting the dreary mood that had settled over them, he decided to change the subject. “So do you ever visit any of the bars or restaurants in Dawson?”
She hesitated a moment before answering, as if wondering whether or not this question might be a trap. But then she sipped her coffee and said, “Not much. I used to go down there more often than now and meet a few friends at The Pit, but it’s a long drive back home late at night, so it’s been a while since I last went.”
“It might not be so bad if you didn’t have to go alone.”
She gave him a strange look. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
He instinctively flinched. “No! Of course not!”
“Wow.” She suddenly looked a bit worried. “You don’t have to sound so horrified.”
“I…” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I just meant that if you’d ever like to go, I’d be happy to join you. For company. That’s all.”
Her mouth twisted a little. “I shouldn’t have suggested the date thing. It was just a joke.”
“Really?” He wanted to be absolutely sure that he knew where he stood with her but all the conflicting signals she kept on sending – first welcoming then standoffish – were really confusing.
“Yeah.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t date. But the company thing might be nice. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Please do. I could do with an evening away from this place.” He nudged the cookies toward her. “Have another.”
Accepting the offer, she picked one up and bit into it. “If I had any guy friends your age I’d—”
“My age?” He couldn’t help but wince.
“Okay, that didn’t come out right. I just wanted to say that if I knew anyone I thought you might enjoy hanging out with, I’d introduce you.” Her eyes brightened. “You know, it’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother. Maybe I should give him a call and see if he’s free sometime soon.”
“Thanks, but I wouldn’t want to inconvenience either one of you.”
“Oh, it’s no inconvenience at all. In fact, I think it might be fun.” She scrunched her mouth in a way that suggested she might be plotting something. “Besides, he still owes me a bunch of favors.”
“And you think he and I would get along?”
She shrugged. “Only time will tell, I guess. But he’s a good guy. You’ll definitely like him.”
“In that case, I appreciate you making the effort.” He meant it. And then, because he couldn’t seem to help himself, he said, “I’m only thirty five, by the way.”
For a second, it looked as though she was tempted to ask him something else, but she just nodded and took another sip of coffee before looking at her watch. “Hey, I should probably get going.” She started to rise.
“Already?”
“Yeah. I promised Grandpa I’d help him shop around for some equipment today. We need to buy a new trommel for removing rock and gravel, and then there’s a bunch of spare parts I want to order so we have them on standby just in case.” She studied him for a moment before asking, “How are you with an excavator by the way? Ever use one before?”
“I can’t say I have, but how hard can it be?”
Laughing, she walked out into the living room and picked up her coat. “You’d be surprised,” she told him over her shoulder. “It takes some practice, but don’t worry, I’ll be happy to teach you.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” he said, even though he couldn’t quite picture her managing heavy equipment. “In the meantime, why don’t you and your grandfather come over for dinner on Saturday?” When she hesitated, he said, “I’d like to get a better idea of what I’m in for. After all, this is going to be pretty different from working an office job in New York City.”
“Yes, it is.” Sticking to their agreement, she didn’t ask for any details. Her eyes were warm and understanding. Or perhaps it was sympathy he saw. He couldn’t quite tell. “It must be a really big change for you, especially coming from somewhere as crowded as New York. I get that. So yeah, dinner on Friday would be lovely. What can we bring?”
“How about dessert?” Remembering her offer, he hastily said, “And if your brother would like to join us, feel free to invite him as well.”
“You got it.” She opened the door then, letting in a gust of wind.
“Careful,” he said as she made her way to her car. “And thanks again for the food.”
Pulling open the car door, she threw him a smile, waving as she climbed in behind the wheel. Something in the gesture, something too familiar, struck a chord. A memory came to life, and all of a sudden, the only thing Pierce could see was Caroline doing the exact same thing as she’d driven off to the medical checkup that had ended up changing their lives forever. For a second, he just stood there, staring after the car as it drove away, unable to move while wave upon wave of relentless anguish rolled through him. His eyes burned, tears welling against his lashes until, wiping them swiftly away, he turned his back on the cold and went inside the cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter Five
“So, tell me more about this guy,” Sarah’s brother, Jack, said as they drove over to Pierce’s cabin that Friday. “Is he going to be your new boyfriend?”
Gripping the steering wheel, Sarah gave her brother a succinct, “No.” She would have punched him in the shoulder if she could have done so, but he was sitting on the back seat while her grandfather sat beside her. “He’s leasing the ridge to us for the coming season. I told you that already when we spoke on the phone.”
“So…this is a work related dinner?”
“Pretty much,” Sarah said as she drove onto Pierce’s driveway. “And since he doesn’t really know anyone in these parts, I thought I’d introduce him to you. The only problem is I told him you’re a nice guy.”
Thomas laughed at that, which made Sarah smile.
“I am a nice guy,” Jack said.
“We’ll see,” she told him as she pulled up next to Pierce’s black Jeep. “Help me with the dessert, and I might forgive you for the boyfriend comment.” She didn’t need to look at her brother to know he was rolling his eyes as they got out of the car.
“What did you bring anyway?” Jack reached back inside the vehicle and picked up a glass dish covered in aluminum foil.
The Love That Saved Him Page 4