The Pursuit (Capitol Love Series Book 2)

by Samantha Powers

  Even in the fading daylight, Rayne could tell her mom was blushing. “I was going gray, and my friend up the road offered to color it for me.” Then she leaned closer to Rayne and whispered. “Your father likes it. Says I look ten years younger.”

  Rayne laughed and glanced over at her father as he slid her suitcase into the back of the truck. He looked the same as always—same short beard and mustache, salt and pepper now, and close-cropped hair. But today he was wearing a knit hat in fluorescent orange.

  “Nice hat, Dad,” Rayne said as she squeezed into the front seat between her parents.

  “Turkey-hunting season’s about to start,” he said. “Wearing hunter orange is the easiest way to keep from getting shot.”

  He started the engine and moved the creaky gear shift on the steering wheel. A certifiable antique, she thought, and wondered what the Smithsonian’s American history museum would pay for it. She made a mental note to ask Carol.

  “The easiest way to keep from getting shot would be to stay indoors,” she said with a shiver. “It’s way colder up here than D.C.”

  “You’ll get used to it,” her dad said as they pulled out of the parking lot. “Especially after a couple of mornings of getting up early to feed the chickens.”

  Rayne gave her mom a pleading look. “You knew your father would put you to work,” she said. “And chickens are easy. Next time you come up, we’re hoping to have some sheep.”

  They drove up Main Street through the heart of Brattleboro’s historic district, past a food co-op the size of a grocery store, an outdoor outfitter, a couple fine art galleries, second-hand stores, and funky one-of-a-kind shops. They had barely gotten on Highway 91 before her dad turned off, and the truck bounced along a road that looked like it hadn’t been repaved since the fifties. But it beat the dirt road her dad turned onto next.

  “Sheep sound kind of permanent,” Rayne said. “You guys must really like it here.”

  “Yes, I guess we do,” her mother said.

  Rayne was starting to see why. When they turned into the driveway, the sun had nearly set. Chickens scattered in front of the truck, and her dad slowed to a crawl to let them get out of the way. The house was small but newer than Rayne had expected, and it looked cozy with the smoke curling up from the chimney. It sat on a little rise, and down the hill was a barn and a chicken coop. The property was ringed by a forest of evergreens and ghostly birches and bright red maples.

  As they got out of the truck, she spotted a small cluster of trees near the house. “Are those apple trees?” she asked.

  “Yes,” her mother said. “And a couple of pears. We’ve still got some of the fruit in the house if you want to try it.”

  “You guys could have your own farmer’s market,” Rayne said. “How come we never lived anyplace like this when I was growing up?”

  She followed her mother as she expertly shooed the chickens toward the coop. Her mom scooped some cracked corn from a metal can and handed it to Rayne. “Here, you feed them.”

  Rayne stepped into the coop and the hens followed her, bobbing their heads as they maneuvered up the wooden ramp. The inside of the coop was surprisingly clean of chicken crap, but feathers were mixed in with the straw on the ground, and it had the warm smell of animals. She put the food in a tray on the floor and the hens bustled around her, clucking and pecking at each other as they jockeyed for position. She carefully moved back to avoid stepping on any of them.

  Then she went outside, and her mother latched the door closed. “We’ve lost a few to foxes, so we’re thinking it’s time to get a dog,” she said.

  “First chickens, now sheep and a dog! When did you guys turn into homesteaders?”

  Her mother laughed and led her up the hill to the house. It was just as cozy and warm inside as it had looked from the outside. And it smelled of cinnamon candles and bread baking. The large central room doubled as living room and kitchen, and she saw that her dad had stashed her suitcase in the tiny bedroom nearest the kitchen. Now he was adding wood to the antique iron stove at the center of the house.

  “You think you would have liked living on a farm when you were a kid?” her mom asked as she took off her boots by the door. Rayne followed suit and took off her own shoes. “I thought maybe you were a city girl at heart.”

  “I would have preferred a farm like this to that commune in Nevada. Or that rundown schoolhouse in Homer, Alaska,” Rayne said.

  Her mom went over to the stove and lifted the lid on a pot of stew that smelled heavenly.

  “Please tell me you didn’t put one of your chickens in there,” Rayne said.

  “Our chickens are egg producers,” her father said. “We don’t have any meat breeds.”

  Rayne stared at her dad. She had never heard him speak farmer.

  “Your father spends a lot of time at the feed store,” her mother explained. “But at least it keeps him out of the bars.”

  Rayne laughed. Her father had never been much of a drinker.

  She helped her mom ladle the stew—a savory mix of vegetables and herbs—into bowls and got the butter out of the fridge while her mother cut thick slices of homemade bread and put them on a plate.

  Rayne grabbed a bottle of red wine she’d brought as a gift, and the three of them sat down to eat and drink and talk about old times. Hours later, after her mother had washed the dishes and Rayne had dried them, Rayne grabbed her pajamas and makeup bag and headed for the bathroom, where her mom had a washcloth and towel set aside for her.

  “Just let me know if you need anything else, sweetie,” her mom said from the doorway. “It’s so nice to have you here. I’m really glad you came to see us.”

  “Thanks for letting me show up on such short notice,” Rayne said, squeezing toothpaste onto her brush.

  “You’re always welcome,” her mom said. “Is everything OK in D.C.?”

  “You mean beyond the partisan bickering in Congress and the dysfunctional local government?” She started brushing her teeth to get out of having to give an honest answer.

  “Very funny,” her mom said. “But you know you can talk to me if you need to, right?”

  Rayne nodded, her mouth full of minty foam.

  “All right, I’ll leave you alone. Have a good sleep, and we’ll see you in the morning.”

  Rayne waved, and her mom went off to bed. She rinsed and spit then she washed her face, put on her pajamas, and padded back through the kitchen to her bedroom, which was barely big enough for a twin bed, a night stand, and a little dresser. But the uncurtained window had a view beyond the barn to the moonlight shining on the woods. She took out her phone to charge it and sent Savannah a good-night text.

  Then she took another look at the message from Chase. Flying home today. I’ve been thinking about you. Can I stop by and see you tomorrow?

  She stared at it for a long time. Her heart was softening, and she was glad she was hundreds of miles away because otherwise she’d probably do something stupid like talk to him. And then kiss him. And then make wild love to him. And then get her heart broken all over again when he unceremoniously dumped her in favor of an assignment in East Swaziland.

  She finally put the phone down and crawled under the quilt. She lay curled up on her side so she could watch the view outside. The chickens were snug in their coop, she could smell the rustic scent of wood smoke from the stove, and she felt safe and content for the first time in weeks. She’d picked the perfect hideaway.

  Chapter 21

  After his flight from Kathmandu, Chase made his way through Dulles airport hunched under the weight of his luggage, weary to the bone from traveling all day and crossing time zones. He felt a little feverish, which concerned him, but he was hoping a good night’s sleep would fix that. And then he’d go see Rayne tomorrow and tell her he’d made a mistake and Br
ian Walrus was no good for her and Chase wanted her back. He thought about bringing cream puffs, or at least the filling, but he didn’t want to spook her.

  The thought of her naked, though, sent a little thrill through his body, which he took as a sign that his health was definitely improving.

  When he got to the apartment, Colin wasn’t home and Chase assumed he was at work. He dumped his bags, stripped down to his underwear, and crawled into bed. He left the door to his room ajar so he’d hear Colin when he came home.

  Hours later, Chase opened his eyes to see a dark figure standing by his bed. He scrambled upright, his heart hammering.

  “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me!” he said as Colin flicked on the bedside lamp.

  “Didn’t you hear me come in? And call your name like five times?” Colin said. Then he got a good look at Chase. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks, bro. Good to see you, too.” His heart was still beating hard, and he ran a hand through his matted hair.

  “You should go to the doctor tomorrow.”

  Chase waved his hand. “Nah, I’m much better.”

  “If this is better, I can only imagine how bad you must have been. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

  Chase felt a wave of brotherly love. “I appreciate that, man. I wish you’d been there, too. But the family that runs the guest house took good care of me.”

  “You’re lucky they were looking out for you.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Feel like drinking some beer and watching TV?” Colin asked.

  “I’d love to, but I think I need to sleep. I’ve got some things I want to do tomorrow.”

  “Sure thing.” Colin headed for the door and turned to say, “I’m glad you’re back.”

  Chase slept through the night and the next morning and didn’t wake up until the middle of the afternoon.

  “Shit!” he said when he rolled over and looked at his alarm clock. He checked his phone, but Rayne hadn’t texted back. He had a message from Colin, though, asking him to come to Zipped that night for dinner.

  What day is it? Chase texted back, thinking if it was Thursday, there was a good chance Rayne might stop by.

  You’re seriously freaking me out, bro, Colin texted back. It’s Thursday.

  I’ll be there! Chase responded.

  He had plenty of time to shower, shave, unpack, and figure out what he was going to say to Rayne. He felt light-hearted and hopeful. It was good to finally be doing something positive.

  Chase walked into Zipped around 7:00. The place was nearly full for trivia night and the game was already underway. As soon as Diana saw him, she set down a tray of food and came over to give him a hug. He hugged her back.

  “I was worried about you,” she said, giving him a playful punch in the arm. “And I don’t like worrying about you. Don’t ever do it again.”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Chase said.

  Colin came around from behind the bar and gave him a quick man hug. “Good to see you up and around. You’re looking a lot better than you did last night.”

  “Thanks. I’m feeling better, too,” Chase said.

  As he went back behind the bar, Colin said, “I have to admit my superpower is failing me tonight. Are you up for a beer or do you want something non-alcoholic?”

  “I would love a beer,” Chase said, sitting down on a stool where he could keep an eye on the door. If Rayne was already here, she’d be at the bar, so she must still be on her way. Unless....

  Chase swiveled around to scan the tables but saw no sign of her. Besides, she wouldn’t bring a guy like Brian Walrus to a place like Zipped.

  Colin set a glass down in front of Chase, who immediately took a sip. “Best beer ever,” he said.

  Diana came over. “Burger, wings, fried chicken?”

  Chase smiled at her. “Surprise me.”

  He sipped his beer and watched the door open and close and people come and go but no Rayne. The place was packed, and he was getting jostled by people squeezing next to him to get Colin’s attention and order drinks. The noise and all that energy were wearing him out.

  Diana brought him a plate of lightly breaded chicken with broccoli on the side, and he ate as much as he could but didn’t come close to finishing it.

  He flagged Colin down and leaned over the bar to ask: “Is Savannah coming tonight?”

  Colin shook his head.

  “What about Rayne?” Chase asked.

  Colin paused before answering, as if debating what to say. Finally he said, “She’s gone, bro.”

  “Gone?” Chase’s heart hammered so hard that he could barely breathe. “What the hell does that mean? Gone where? Why?” A wave of nausea washed over him, but this time he knew it wasn’t the malaria.

  Colin was mixing drinks and trying to keep up with a constant stream of customers so it took him a maddeningly long time to answer. “She went to see her parents.”

  Chase remembered her saying her parents were hippies of some sort, but where did they live? Think, Chase, think. Takoma Park, Maryland? For all he knew, it could be a kibbutz in Israel.

  “Where do they live?” he asked.

  Colin put his hand behind his ear to signal that he couldn’t hear what Chase was saying.

  “Where do Rayne’s parents live?” he asked again, nearly shouting and feeling the strain.

  “Vermont,” Colin said.

  “When is she coming back?”

  “I don’t know,” Colin said. “Look, can we talk about this later. I’m kind of busy.”

  Diana came by to collect Chase’s plate. “Still not feeling so hot, huh?” she said when she saw how little he’d eaten.

  He shook his head and looked down at his watch. It was nearly 9:00 and probably too late to go to Rayne’s house and ask Savannah where she was. And Chase was beat anyway. All he wanted to do was crawl into bed.

  “I’m going to head home,” he said. “Tell Colin I’ll see him later.”

  “Sure thing,” Diana said and gave him a sympathetic look.

  He smiled. “I missed you.”

  “Don’t get all sappy on me,” she said, but she was grinning back at him. “You do not want to see me cry.”

  Chase woke up before noon the next day—another sign of improvement. He watched some TV, did some laundry, called his mother to let her know he was home and doing fine, but Colin had beat him to it, and mostly killed time until the workday ended.

  He decided to walk over to Rayne’s house. It was a cool autumn day, and leaves littered the sidewalk. The sky was turning a deep blue as the sun went down. When he rounded the corner onto Rayne’s block, he noticed an elderly woman sitting on her porch. He waved, and she smiled and waved back. The friendly neighborhood suited Rayne, he thought.

  He walked up onto the porch, and his heart gave a little lurch. Damn, he was nervous. But maybe nervous was good in a situation like this. Maybe it would make him seem as sincere as he was. Just as he knocked, Savannah came up the walk behind him in a pinstripe suit with a big bag over her shoulder.

  She stopped when she saw him. “Hi, Chase,” she said coolly. “What can I do for you?”

  “Hey, Savannah. I wanted to see Rayne, but Colin told me she’s out of town.”

  Savannah resumed walking and met him on the porch, keys in hand.

  “She’s gone to see her parents,” she said.

  “In Vermont, right?” he said, smiling and trying to look as earnest as he could. He was getting the distinct impression that Savannah had no interest in helping him.

  “Yes,” Savannah said as she put the key in the lock.

  “Could you narrow that down for me?” he asked.

  She looked up at him. “What difference does it make? Are you going to fly u
p there and sweep her off her feet so you can break her heart all over again?”

  He took a step back, feeling as though he’d been punched in the chest. His vision swirled, and he put a hand on the wall to steady himself. He thought he saw a look of alarm or maybe pity flash across Savannah’s face.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked, peering at him more closely.

  Chase swallowed hard, hoping that maybe Savannah’s pity for his pathetic ass would translate into helping him. “I’m hanging in there,” he said. “Listen, if you could—”

  “Chase, I’m sorry you got sick and missed out on your assignment and everything,” she said, all trace of pity gone now. “But Rayne went up there to get away from men so I don’t think she’d appreciate me telling you where she is.”

  “Men?” Not him, but men plural. He tried to latch onto the notion that she was also fleeing Brian Walrus, but his heart was caught on the plural.

  Savannah jumped back as the door flew open from the inside. A red-haired woman stood there in sweat pants and a T-shirt. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I heard a knock and then keys and...” She looked at Chase then back to Savannah. “Everything OK here?”

  “Yeah, Chase was just leaving.”

  She pushed past the woman and into the house before he could say another word.

  The woman looked him up and down. “You’re Chase?” she said. “Funny, I expected something different.”

  He knew women could be protective of one another, but he was getting irritated by the gauntlet he had to run. “I’ve been sick,” he said. “Malaria.”

  She seemed to soften a bit. “That’s serious,” she said and started to close the door. “I hope you feel better.”

  “Wait! Do you know when Rayne is coming back?”

  She sighed. “Just once, I’d like a guy to knock on the door looking for me. She said something about working remotely. I’d guess at least another week.”