A Change Of Pace

by Freya Barker

  "Neither was I," I admit, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from her, uninvited. Her soft chuckle an indication she understands the struggle. "I don't know about you," I continue, "but I have a feeling we may be fighting the inevitable, however noble our intentions."

  "Seems that way." Freddy looks around before turning back to me. "I haven't been here in years."

  "And I've never been here at all." I underline the serendipity of this encounter.

  "Then can I recommend the fish and chips?"

  "That what you're having?"

  "Sure is," she confirms, just as a waitress walks out with a steaming plate, heaped high with fried fish and French fries.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were expecting someone," she apologizes to Freddy, sliding the plate in front of her before turning to me. "Can I get you something?"

  "I'll have what she's having, and do me one of those pints as well."

  "Sure thing. Let me put a rush on your food."

  "Eat," I tell Freddy when the waitress heads back inside. "Don't let it get cold."

  "We can share." She shoves the plate between us. "I've been meaning to ask you if you've had a chance to think about the rescue pups at the clinic. Hank is ready to let them go next week." Smiling sweetly, she pops a fry in her mouth, blinking at me with innocent eyes.

  "You set me up," I accuse her halfheartedly. "Telling Hank I was in the market for a dog was a dirty move." She grins unapologetically and bites into another fry. "To answer your question; yes, I've had a chance to think. The biggest problem is I don't have a fenced-in property. What we have up now only goes as far as the end of the deck but everything to the water is open. Even running the fence all the way to the water's edge—which I'm not inclined to do—a dog could still get away through the water."

  "Invisible fence; I had one when I first got Boulder. Works like a charm as long as you consistently put on the collar when you let the dog out."

  "Yeah, I looked into that. Found one that seems to meet all the needs. It's supposed to be delivered tomorrow."

  "For real?" She smiles big, almost bouncing in her seat, and I can't help grinning back. "Is Millie over the moon?"

  "I haven't told her yet. She has the patience of a gnat; she would've driven me insane. I guess by Thursday the cat will be out of the bag, one way or another, since I'll start installing the damn thing. That'll be a pain in the ass job, digging in that line all the way around the property."

  "You should ask Alex, he and the boys can help."

  "I might."

  Twenty minutes later, there are two empty plates on the table between us, and I'm stuffed. Conversation during dinner was mostly centred around the puppies, home improvements, retirement, and growing up in Parry Sound—but that's about to change.

  "Two ways this can go," I start, catching her attention. "We play it safe and keep trying to pretend there's nothing happening here—" I wave my hand between us in illustration. "—or we take whatever this is to wherever it goes."

  A soft blush crawls up Freddy's cheeks, but her eyes stay firmly on mine. "And what about Millie?"

  "She likes you," I offer. "I don't want anything to interfere with your professional relationship with her, and I don't think it has to. Whatever happens here should be separate from Millie, at least for now."

  This time, she lowers her eyes to her folded hands on the table and appears to need a minute. I give her that, but get restless when she takes more.

  "Look..." I start, but she jumps in.

  "It almost sounds like we're discussing a business transaction; a bit clinical. I'm not sure I'm built for a covert affair."

  "Trust me," I assure her, covering her hands with mine. "There is nothing clinical or covert about what I'm proposing. What I'm interested in is exploring what this is, without losing sight of Millie."

  "Here's your bill." Freddy sits back, pulling her hands from under mine at the voice of our server. I'm faster than she is in snatching up the folder and pulling out my wallet.

  "I can pay for my own dinner," she protests.

  "I'm sure you can, but not when you're having it with me." I check the total and slip in a couple of bills, before handing it back to the waitress who is still standing by our table. "No change," I tell her, catching Freddy rolling her eyes. "What time is the movie over?"

  "Not sure, ten or so?"

  I quickly glance at my watch. It's just after eight now, plenty of time. I get up and pull Freddy to her feet. "Come on."

  "Where are we going?"

  "Ride with me," I urge, holding onto her hand as we cross the parking lot.

  "If you'll tell me where we're going," she fires back.

  "Just down to the water."

  Apparently, that's okay with her, because she lets me get her settled in the passenger seat of the Jeep without further objection.

  "This feels like a date," Freddy says, when I park the Jeep at Waubuno Beach and open the door for her.

  "That's because it is."

  I firmly grab her hand in mine, entwining our fingers, and walk into the park, adjusting my steps to hers. I note she doesn't seem to object to my classification.

  "It's actually been years since I've been here. Funny how that happens; what are places of interest to visitors are often forgotten by locals."

  I mumble a nonverbal agreement.

  The waterside park is busiest around the playground, but once we leave that behind, we find ourselves alone. The breeze coming off the water is comfortable, even as the temperature drops with the setting sun. Silently I lead her onto Silbow Rock, a small peninsula made up mostly of rock, jutting out into the waters of Georgian Bay. As we approach the end, I see to my relief the small bench I knew was there is empty.

  "I always meant to come out and watch a sunset here. I just never got around to it."

  "Glad I can help cross that off your list," I observe, pulling her to sit down next to me.

  The view is spectacular with the sun lowering straight across the water. At the horizon, the blue sky starts turning a deep gold, and when I turn my head to look at Freddy, her face is caught in the warm glow.

  "It's beautiful," she states.

  "Very," I confirm, my eyes still on her face.

  I reach out, and with a finger on her chin, turn her to face me. Sliding my hand along her jaw, I tangle my fingers in her hair, keeping her in place as I move in for a kiss. Soft—just a slight brush of her full lips before retreating. A taste—maybe a test. I watch as her eyes flick down to my mouth. I read it as an invitation and move back in, this time not afraid to show my hunger.

  Her mouth opens, welcoming a sweep of my tongue. Slim fingers come up to stroke through the short hair covering my jaw, tentatively exploring. It feels fucking great. I wish I could sit here forever—with her weight leaning into me, her taste on my lips and tongue, and the feel of her touch on my skin—but my body is eager. So much so, I end up breaking the kiss for fear I'll lose control and have her naked and bent over this bench. The agreement was to see where this goes, not to see how fast and how far I can push it.

  I bite down a smile at the small whimper when I release her lips and resolutely sit back, pulling her to my side.

  "I don't usually kiss on the first date," she informs me, and I counter right away.

  "I don't usually date. Period." I grin when she raises an inquiring eyebrow. "I'm glad we both broke some rules."

  We sit, Freddy safely tucked under my arm with her head on my shoulder, until the sun has disappeared on the horizon and just a few lines of orange remain in the darkening sky.

  Freddy

  Holy shit.

  I don't know whether I'm freaked or giddy, but I can't sit still in my seat on my way home.

  Newt pulled into the parking lot—blocking the view of my car from the restaurant—let me out, and proceeded to thoroughly kiss me goodnight against my driver's side door. I can't remember the last time I was kissed like that—if ever. From what I can recall, kissing wa
s always a pathway to somewhere else, yet Newt kisses in a way that has you firmly anchored in the moment. With full attention and singular dedication, while I was slowly losing the last of my marbles.

  This is why I'm giggling behind the wheel, like I've just been kissed for the very first time.

  And maybe I have.

  I barely have a chance to say hello to the critters when the boys come storming in. Yikes, talk about the nick of time. I wonder if Newt made it back before Millie was dropped off.

  "So how was the movie?" I corral the boys and make them hug me, something they grumble about, but secretly enjoy. Or so I tell myself as I press a kiss in Josh's hair and ruffle Luke's unruly mop.

  "Cool!"

  "Was good. Night, Auntie Fred," Josh teases me with the dreaded nickname, as he wrestles from my hold and heads for the stairs.

  "Can I cuddle the kittens?" Luke asks, throwing me a cutesy pout that stopped working when he turned four.

  "Kittens will be here tomorrow," my brother's deep voice booms from the doorway. "Get your butt to bed, and don't forget to brush your teeth."

  Under loud complaining about the unfairness of his life, Luke finally makes his way up, leaving my brother to face me, his arms crossed over his chest.

  "Did you go out?"

  I feel my eyes get big. It's a knee-jerk response to what sounds suspiciously like an accusation of sorts. "Out?" I stall, trying to decipher why I suddenly feel guilty.

  "Your car isn't in the same spot."

  I'm actually pretty sure I parked it where I always park, but I'm not going to argue. I may feel guilty, but I have no reason to be.

  "I was out actually," I admit, straightening my shoulders. "Just sat down for dinner at Trapper’s when Newt happened to show up." Now it's Alex's turn to lift his eyebrows.

  "Really."

  "Yes, as a matter-of-fact; really. Anyway, not sure what that matters either way, he was there, we ended up having dinner together, and watched the sunset from Silbow Rock."

  "Aren't you a little old? God, I stopped making out there when I turned eighteen."

  I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm offended. Rather than justifying my actions, or getting into an argument over something that's none of my brother's business in the first place, I disappear into the kitchen. Washing the dishes I left earlier will go a long way to getting my blood pressure back down. I turn on the tap and hear Alex's heavy footsteps go up the stairs, probably checking on the boys.

  I adore my brother, but there are times when he rubs me the wrong way. It's one of the reasons I haven't mentioned my visit to the clinic yet. He can be overbearing with the people he loves. I'm sure all he wants to do is make sure everyone is safe, but sometimes it slips into being a tad controlling. And even that I understand from his perspective, there was a time when he almost lost everything. It doesn't mean I'll let him get away with it.

  When I'm putting away the clean dishes, I hear him walk in behind me.

  "For the record," I start, before he has a chance to say anything. "I'd never been out on the point before tonight. Not ever. I'm also forty-six years old, far past the age where I require parenting, especially from my younger brother. And you know what kills me?" I turn to find him looking at me a tad sheepishly, but that doesn't stop me from poking my finger in his chest. "That the first time, in a very fucking long time, that a guy shows an interest in me, you've got to come and piss all over my good buzz."

  He grabs my stabbing hand and flattens it against his chest, covering it with his. "I worry."

  The bubble of steam I built up evaporates at his simple statement. I tilt my head back and see the apology in his eyes, and I know that's the best I'll get. "I know."

  "At least I like the guy."

  "Oh please, you like his boat and his grill. Admit it," I scoff, slipping from his hold and moving back to the sink, wiping it clean.

  "So? He does have a pretty sweet set-up." Alex waits for my acknowledgement but won't get it. "But he seems like a good guy too."

  "Yes, he is."

  "That doesn't mean I don't worry about you. Do you even know what you're doing?"

  I turn, resting the heels of my hands on the counter behind me.

  "Not a clue," I answer honestly. "But I'm enjoying it, so don't bust my bubble."

  THIRTEEN

  Newt

  "From there in a straight line to that flat rock on the water's edge!"

  Following my directions, Alex marks the property boundary with a chalk line. It's already closing in on noon, and we haven't even started digging yet. Fortunately, I have the original plans for the property; they've come in handy trying to map out where the invisible fence has to go.

  I was surprised when Alex called me yesterday before I'd had a chance. Apparently Freddy mentioned I might need a hand. He got here, with the boys and Boulder in tow, around nine this morning, which meant explaining to Millie why they were here. That resulted in tears—happy ones this time—and a promise to visit the vet's clinic tomorrow to meet the puppies. I nipped any hopeful sounds we might take both of them home in the bud, explaining Freddy already had dibs on one.

  The three kids are horsing around in the water, with Boulder keeping an eye out from the dock, and the sun is already hot.

  "Want something to drink?" I ask Alex, when he comes walking up the picnic table where I have the plans spread out.

  "Got beer? It's almost noon, right?" He mops his face and neck with the shirt he took off half an hour ago. "Fuck, it's hotter than Hades today."

  "Only gonna get hotter. And yeah, I've got beer. I think I'm gonna order a couple of pizzas for lunch. Kids'll be wanting something soon, I'm sure."

  "My guys are always hungry. I'm surprised they've lasted this long."

  "I order now, it should be here in half an hour."

  I go inside to call for delivery of pizza and some pop, grab a couple of beers, and head back out. Alex is sitting with his back to the picnic table, his elbow resting on the edge, and his legs stretched out in front of him. I hand him a beer and climb up to sit on the table, feet on the bench and elbows on my knees.

  "So is Freddy working today?" I try to be casual. I already revealed too much when I opened the door this morning and kept looking outside over Alex's shoulder, hoping maybe she'd show as well.

  "She had some kind of meeting with a colleague in Sudbury this morning. She left at the crack of dawn to get there for nine thirty. That's why I brought Boulder, didn't want to leave him alone all day."

  "Right." Clearly casual doesn't fly, because I can feel his eyes burning in the back of my head.

  "Be careful with my sister." I hear him say, but I keep my eyes locked on the water. I'm guessing there's more he has to say, and I don't have to wait long. "She may look like she has her shit together, and I guess for the most part she does, but that confident outer shell is just that—a shell."

  "Isn't it for most of us?" I observe.

  "Perhaps, but not everyone has had to deal with the kind of crap she's had to."

  "Look." This time I turn around to face him. "I'm not gonna sit here and deny I'm interested in your sister, because I am, and I appreciate your concern, but we're adults. Neither of us comes to the table without being marked in some way by forty plus years of life. And I know for a fact, she knows more about my baggage than I do about hers, but that doesn't mean I want you to enlighten me. She'll fill me in if and when she's ready."

  He stares at me hard, before nodding once in understanding, and looking away. I follow his gaze to where Millie is now sitting on the dock, her legs dangling in the water, while the twins bob around on the tube.

  "But I'll be careful," I add quietly.

  "That'd be good." His tone is friendly, but the threat is there. It makes me smile. I want to bet if I had a sister, I'd probably do the same thing.

  "Dad! We're hungry!" Millie calls out, and I chuckle.

  "Right on time."

  "My boys put her up to that," Alex says, grinning.
/>   As if on cue, the doorbell rings from the front of the house, and I hop down to get it. I grab my credit card and open the door to find, not the delivery guy, but a bedraggled-looking Jordan and his mom. The sporty convertible is in the driveway behind them, and from what I can see, Ella appears sober, a concerned look on her face.

  "I'm sorry to intrude." She looks sorry, downright uncomfortable, actually. "I know the kids haven't made plans, but I wonder if Jordan could hang out here for a few hours. There's some things I need to take care of. We've had a situation." I hadn't closely looked at the boy, but when she turns to him on her last words, I get a glimpse of the kind of situation she might be referring to. The kid's glasses are held together with tape over the bridge of his nose, he has a bump the size of a goose egg above his left eyebrow, and the eye below is starting to turn a deep painful-looking purple.

  "You're just in time," I casually direct at Jordan, "pizza should be here shortly. Why don't you head out back? Millie's on the dock." The kid nods and slips past me into the house, not bothering to say goodbye to his mom.

  I turn my attention to her. "Want to tell me what happened to him?" My tone is sharp and I see her wince.

  "Boys horsing around, he stumbled and fell on the coffee table. You know how it is," she giggles, checking nervously over her shoulder. "I best get going, I'll pick him up later."

  She uses the arrival of the pizza delivery guy as a distraction and is off before I can get any more out of her.

  "What's that all about?" Alex asks me when I walk outside with a bag of pop, a couple of boxes of pizza, and a roll of paper towel. He nods in the direction of Jordan, sitting cross-legged next to Millie at the end of the dock. She looks like she's talking, her head bent toward him. The twins are still bobbing in the water and observe from a distance.

  "Not sure, but I can tell you it was not the close encounter with a coffee table his mom tried to sell me on just now. He looks like he was used as punching bag."

  "Fuck."

  Exactly my thought. I'll wait for a quiet moment, let the kid settle in a bit, and then I'll see if I can't find out more from him.