by Anna Adams
It didn’t open. Her door. She ran around the old Ford.
Sadly, she’d fallen into the habit last fall of not locking her doors. She’d concentrated so much lately on locking them that she tended to hit the locks when she got out. She couldn’t blame Eli for doing the same thing.
“Are your keys inside?” Sam asked. “I have a hammer.”
She tried to laugh, pushing sweaty hair out of her eyes. “Can you believe this?”
“You’re having a bad day?”
“A little disappointing, and I definitely can’t afford a locksmith.”
“Don’t you have an extra key at Van’s?”
“Thanks for reminding me.” She grabbed her phone, lodged in her jeans pocket. Just above the number for Van’s house was the number for Van’s cottage.
Locking keys in a car was hardly tidy, and Mrs. Carleton wouldn’t approve.
Nevertheless, she dialed the house. Mrs. Carleton answered on the first ring.
“This is Beth.”
“So I saw on that caller ID thing.”
“Mrs. Carleton, I’ve locked my keys in the car.” No doubt the other woman was shaking her head with much despair. “I hate to put you out, but would you mind bringing me the spare?”
“I’d do it right away, but my car’s in the shop. I came to work in a taxi.”
“A taxi?” Thunder rumbled overhead. Beth peered up. No rain, please. No rain.
“Don’t worry,” Sam said. “It’s only thunder. There’s no rain in the forecast.”
At the same time, Mrs. Carleton went on. “What if I call the cottage? That nice man down there might bring it.”
“I don’t think—”
“Nonsense. I’ll give him this number and have him call you if he can come.” She hung up, taking matters into her own hands.
Aidan called within seconds. Beth choked out his name, overly aware of Sam at her side.
“It’s Beth,” she said, flustered as if she’d just been kissed.
“I called you,” he said.
“Oh, yeah. I have a huge favor to ask.”
The cement mixer rumbled up the lane. Its driver shifted gears.
“I can’t hear you, Aidan. Just a second,” Beth said. The truck brushed honeysuckle, and the smell wafted by. The truck made a turn up the ragged driveway and eventually came to a halt. “Aidan? Are you still there?”
“Mrs. Carleton told me you’d locked your keys in. I’m just calling before I go pick up the spare. Are you both okay, other than not being able to get in the car? I heard thunder.”
“We’re fine, and the weatherman just told me we’re not expecting rain.” His concern felt so good she couldn’t afford to get used to it.
“Where are you?”
“That’s the imposition. I’m at the lodge.”
“I’ve been going crazy, stuck in this house—however nice it is. You’re giving me an excuse to get out.”
“Thanks, Aidan.” Beth closed her phone and put it back in her pocket and felt silly for being excited. Sam had already gone back up the hill. She climbed up, too.
The cement mixer roared. No one spoke as the forms filled. She let herself imagine the new lodge. It would be as austere as ever since she’d hadn’t received the extra money to install a few luxuries, but she couldn’t wait to open her doors again.
“That housekeeper of Van’s is scary.” Sam all but yelled in her ear.
“Terrifying, but I think she has a soft center.”
“God forbid I should be around her long enough to stumble across it. I’m telling you my children turn the other way in the grocery store when we run into her.”
“That’s not nice, Sam.” Unexpectedly, the cement mixer shut down when she was in midsentence. Sam’s assistant and the driver turned.
“What are you doing to Beth, Sam?”
She laughed and so did he. The men joined in until the cement mixer kicked back on.
Beth waved at Sam to get his attention. “Thanks for everything.”
“I’ll call you when we finish—let you know how things stand before I go home.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t stay?”
“We’re fine without your direction. You’ve seen where we’re pouring. Everything else is gravity.”
She leaned against her car, far enough away that she could only see the men from the waist up. Distance also buffered the noise.
Soon, a car turned into the lane between the budding Bradford pears. Aidan.
The last time they’d been together without Eli as an audience, she’d been in his arms.
He had no idea how she wanted to be with him again. To forget they came from different worlds, that his wanting to be with her and Eli might have more to do with guilt over his former wife. Needing him was more precious to her because she hadn’t expected to feel so much for any man. It was like growing up instead of playing at the marriage she’d endured.
He parked behind her and got out, dangling the key from one finger. “Mrs. Carleton looked a bit put out. You should let her cool off.”
“You’re reading her wrong. She suggested calling you.” Beth took the key and put it in her door, as if it might not fit. Anything to hide the way he made her tremble.
The lock opened perfectly.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m grateful.”
“I can imagine.” He glanced toward the building site. “How’s it going?”
“They’re pouring the basement. In three months I’ll be back in business.”
“Three months? That’s not long.”
“It’s not going to be a big house. A room for me and one for Eli, and four more for desperate fishermen.”
“Only four? And why desperate?”
“I couldn’t afford to build a larger house.” She stared intently at the scarred hillside. “I was hoping to add extras, a hot tub in the back, more family friendly furniture in the rooms, frills here and there to make it cozy for wives and children.”
“Why?” A businessman, he couldn’t avoid being interested. He craned to see what went on above them. “You didn’t have those things before, but the place worked for you?”
“I held my own, but we had men who came strictly for the fishing. I hoped to attract their families for vacations. A week’s stay in lovely Virginia, however backwoods,” she said, lifting her voice over a new load of cement, “pays me better than a long weekend with a bunch of smelly guys talking up their favorite bait.”
“Why can’t women be happy with us the way we are?”
“You take fishing breaks?”
“I haven’t before.” He nodded toward the men and the machines on the hill. “You won’t invite me up to see?”
Not a chance. Every time she saw him, she craved more time with him. While he tried for a glimpse of her new basement, she gave in to temptation, checking out his jeans and white shirt and the hint of muscle underneath.
His smile, wide and somehow soft, made her feel vulnerable. “If you look at me like that, telling me to go away won’t work.”
Why pretend he was wrong? “Sorry. I should go. I have to schedule the framers and—”
“Have you eaten lunch? Come out with me.”
“Are you kidding? Everyone who sees us will tell everyone they know, and then those people will tell their friends, and before you know it, they’ll have you living here and I’ll be getting the broadest hints that you’re way out of my league. Worst of all, Eli will start assuming you’ll be around.”
“What the hell is that out of your league crap?”
She preened a little, sliding her hands over her hips. “It sounds nice the way you put it, but as much as I love living here, that’s how people would see you and me together.”
“You paint an attractive picture of small-town life.”
“I know my own friends.”
“Friends?”
“They’d mean well.” She waved a hand toward Sam. “And I’m feeling the same about Eli. He likes hanging out wit
h you. The male attention is good for him, but you’re a visitor.”
“I keep trying to tell you I like it here,” he said, “except for the boredom factor of not being able to do the things I want to. That wouldn’t always be a problem.”
“I can’t risk a relationship right now.”
“Even I see this isn’t the time to discuss it,” he said, “but why do you assume the worst?”
Because it had taken her years to assume the worst about Campbell? She didn’t intend to make another mindless decision about a good-looking man.
“I can’t, Aidan. Please, let’s talk about something else. Or better yet, get going.”
He chose a change of subject. “Why can’t you afford to add luxury to your lodge? I don’t see that many guys going on vacation without their wives and children, and you might bring in more paying customers.”
“We had a steady business, but it wasn’t enough for the loan I wanted.” Aidan was still recovering. And now, besides not wanting to kill him, she’d also prefer he didn’t think she was angling for an investment. “I still think families are the way to go.”
“But?”
“But it’s not your problem.”
“I’m curious.” He took her hand. “Call it a personality quirk.”
His fingers around hers suggested other ways to touch. She couldn’t think.
“Beth?”
“My husband was supposed to pay the insurance premium—our house insurance—according to the divorce decree. The company that held the policy didn’t tell me when he stopped paying, and we weren’t covered when the house burned.” She tugged gently, instinctively wanting to stand away from him, on her own.
“And Van wouldn’t help?”
She went for the car door. “This talk is turning too personal. I have a son to care for and a house and a business to build, and your life is waiting for you in D.C.”
“Let me talk to Van.”
“No one needs to talk to Van.”
“Then explain. He’d never let you go without. Especially when it comes to money. When he has all he’ll need and then some. I don’t see it.”
“Leave it alone, Aidan. Now you’re talking about my family.”
His self-deprecating laugh stopped her from leaving. “Remember what we know about each other. I don’t walk away from trouble, and you were born to nurture.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You try to be tougher than you are, according to Eli.”
“I’m rebuilding my home. That and the thought of my son being ill are all that matters to me now.”
“I wish you were brave enough to take a chance on me. I’m good for more than delivering keys.” He started toward his own car, and then looked over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t want to tell me how Eli’s visit went?”
He had a right. He’d found her son and made her see she had to act.
“I liked today’s doctor. Eli didn’t.”
“Didn’t?”
“I thought she was perfect. He thought she was like me.” Despite her iron will and perfect independence, she felt like crying. That must have shown, too.
Laughing, Aidan came back. She didn’t realize he was going to reach for her until he did.
“He’s just a kid,” Aidan said against her hair.
She tried to hold back, but he didn’t seem to realize he shouldn’t offer comfort. She leaned against him, just a little, not enough to commit. “I love that boy more than my own life, but he’s killing me.”
“He’ll straighten things out with a therapist who can help him. And you can come talk to me if you won’t speak with a counselor. I promise not to assume you want more than talk.”
The truth lay between them, seductive and forbidden. Their need for each other was growing despite any fight she put up.
“Trust me a little, Beth.”
“I’m trying.”
His mouth tightened, and he let her go. Contrarily, she wished he hadn’t.
“That ex-husband of yours has a lot to answer for. I’m even more pissed when I think of him leaving you and Eli high and dry. And I’m still surprised at Van.”
“Don’t be. You’re right about Van. He begged me to let him help, but I’m allergic to charity, especially from someone who loves me. Eli needs to see me take out a loan and pay it back. We can work on our own house—even if he has been skating out.”
“He ducks out of helping?” Aidan shoved his hands into his pockets and laughed at her affront. “Sorry, but he’s usually so grown up he scares me.”
“He’s the best,” she said, “but he’s a kid. Hanging out with his friends is a lot more entertaining than helping me tear down a house. Aidan?”
He nodded.
“You have to leave him alone. He’s getting attached to you.”
Anger forced his eyes into slits. Then something made him look over her shoulder. “Maybe we should go. One of those guys has been watching us for a while, and I don’t want people talking about you.”
“Any chance he’s admiring the pear trees? The last thing we need to do is fire up the gossip machine.”
“I’m not sure anyone up there is a pear-tree kind of guy.” Aidan stared into the woods, turning his back on the semi-orchard in question. “Which ones are they?”
CHAPTER TEN
“PICK UP, PICK UP, pick up, Dad.” Eli hit his desk so hard Lucy raised her head to stare at him with sad eyes. “Sorry,” he said.
She dropped her head onto her paws.
At last, there was a click and his father said hello.
“Dad?”
“Eli, hey, son. How ya been?”
“Okay, okay. I’ve been trying to call you all day.”
“I know. I had some—business. I would have called you back.”
“I called you at your work, but they said you quit again.”
“I had a better offer. You gotta go where the money is, man.”
Yes. Talk about great news. His dad had more money now. “I’m glad.” Eli tried not to jinx himself, sounding happy. “I have a favor to ask.”
“What kind of favor?”
“I was at Jeff’s yesterday.”
“Again? Where was your mom?”
“Working on the house. Listen, Jeff’s father is going to help him make his own skateboard—a custom skateboard, and he said he’d help me, too, if I bought a kit.”
“What does your mom say?”
“I didn’t ask her. I know she doesn’t have the money, but maybe you could help me.”
“Well, you know, I’m just starting this new gig.”
“New what?”
“Job. And money is short.”
“You said you’ll make more.”
“I won’t get paid for a few weeks, maybe longer. And you know how much I have to give your mom. I’m strapped.”
“When I start getting allowance again, I’ll pay you back, but I have to get the kit now, and I don’t have enough saved. I need about forty dollars.”
“How much have you saved, son?”
“Seventy. Mom made me put it in the bank so I was lucky. It didn’t get burned up.”
“That was smart. Sounds like you could lend me some dough, buddy.”
“Huh?”
“Just kidding. Kidding, but you talk to your mom about this skateboard thing. Isn’t that why I give her money?”
“I should’ve known you’d make up reasons not to help me. And you’re crazy if you think I don’t know you don’t want to give Mom anything.” He hung up, gasping like a fish jerked out of the lake, half expecting his father to call right back and yell at him.
He didn’t.
Eli dropped onto his back on the bed and pulled the comforter completely around himself. In the dark, he didn’t care if he cried. His mom couldn’t get scared. His dad couldn’t tell him to be a man.
The dark felt good, cool and empty. It made him feel safe. No one could see him. He couldn’t even see himself.
He climbed off the
bed, pulling the comforter with him and covered Lucy with it, too. She struggled, but he wrapped an arm around her neck and she stayed.
“Thanks, girl.” He laid his head against her belly, and her breathing made him feel better, but he made sure no light could get to her or him.
“Why, Lucy?” he asked. “Jeff’s father’s not rich, but he helped Jeff buy his. Why won’t my dad?” Lucy grunted. “Maybe Mom?”
He couldn’t even ask. He’d burned down the house. She wouldn’t take the money he’d saved, but he’d bet she wouldn’t let him spend it, either.
“Eli?”
Her voice came from downstairs. He rolled out of the blanket and threw it toward the bed. Then he stared at the window. This house didn’t have a roof that sloped all the way to the ground. He couldn’t jump down and escape.
But there was his closet.
Hurrying, he tripped over a corner of the comforter and almost fell. Lucy grunted, but she didn’t raise her head this time. He opened the closet door and jumped inside.
Darkness wrapped him up again.
“ELI?” Beth tapped on his door and then opened it. Lucy looked up from the floor. “Where’s Eli, girl?”
Lucy only stared. Beth walked inside and looked behind the door. She found a pair of shoes and Eli’s jacket, which he hadn’t worn in days. No boy, though. Butterflies danced in her belly.
The desk chair was pulled away from the desk. The comforter lay half on the floor, which was odd because he’d been good about making his bed before Mrs. Carleton could get to it.
“No need to panic, huh, Lucy?”
Lucy still stared.
Beth remade the bed. She’d only called him to make sure he was out of the way while she used the phone. “I’ll look for him after I talk to Campbell.”
She went downstairs and opened the front door. Mrs. Carleton walked behind her with a dusting cloth.
“Have you seen Eli?” Beth asked.
“Not for a while. You chase after that boy too much.”
“So I keep hearing.”
“Let him alone and he’ll show up. Any boy likes to go out to the woods. Where’s the dog?”
“In his room.” She’d love to believe he was roaming the woods. Just the other night, it had been chilly, still more winter than spring, but a few days’ sunlight and warmth had changed the world. The trees were beginning to clothe themselves in leaves. The air here and at the lodge smelled of honeysuckle.