Leaving Tracks

by Victoria Escobar

  “Who’s driving you in?” I asked as I moved from table to the chair closest to the fireplace. The wind had been brutal and I still felt the chill in my bones.

  “I can drive.” She muttered it, but my ears were sharp.

  “If you can wait until after chores, I can go with you. It’s been a while since I’ve been off the farm for something other than errands.” I replied easily and watched as Hadley placed her new vase on the mantle and moved the clock to one end and the trio of candles to the other. For some reason I found it was still aesthetically pleasing, and not as cluttered as I thought it would look when she brought the vase over.

  Hadley shrugged. “Depends on the snow now.”

  I looked out the window to the skating rink. “Does it bother you that you can’t see out?”

  Hadley glanced at the window a moment before retrieving two of the fairy houses from the larger box and walking to it. “Not so much. If I want to see outside, I’ll just go outside. And this way, it keeps leaves and tree branches and the like from banging on the glass and creeping me out when I’m alone.” She placed the two houses without arranging them and went back for two more. When she had all eight houses on the wide ledge, she began moving them around.

  It amused me slightly the way she fussed with the fairy houses and made me think I should make some hanging ones light enough to be held with suction cups on the glass. When she was done she came and sat on the fainting couch. It was, I guessed, her favorite seat.

  “What?” I asked after she had stared for some time.

  “You haven’t called your brothers.” Hadley said simply.

  I raised a brow but slid my cell phone out of my pocket and sent a quick text to Wesley. “There. Done.”

  Hadley nodded. “Good, come on. I want to teach you something.” She stood and walked to the door not bothering to look back to see if I was following. “You don’t need your skates, or your boots, but I do suggest sneakers next time.”

  Hadley walked down the stairs and into the gym. I followed, not only because I was curious, but also it would have been rude to ignore her request.

  I surveyed the space. It had been cleaned out was my first thought. A rower and stationary bike shared the left wall and an impressive looking weight machine was in a cubby space by itself. That left a completely open center space covered in carpet and what looked like a gymnastics floor mat.

  Hadley stood in the center of the mat watching me.

  “When did you clean house?”

  “This afternoon, after I shooed off my sisters. I needed to think.” Hadley answered. “Let’s start with the basics. I know you already know some of them but humor me. When I was learning to skate, my coach wouldn’t let me do anything on the ice until I could do it competently off the ice.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Loops, Salchows, Flips, Axels, and Lutzes can actually be performed on dry ground. And from my experience, I thought it was easier to learn without worrying if my skate was going to slide out from under me. Here, I can do a competent enough Loop with my left foot.”

  I was surprised and impressed when Hadley took a few beginning steps then tossed herself in the air and landed bouncing in a circle on her left foot.

  “You should be able to do this with any of your jumps. Let’s start with the ones you know and move from there.”

  I rolled my shoulders. “Sure. Are we on the clock?”

  “In a matter,” Hadley stepped back as I stepped forward, “unless you want to build a snowman?”

  Testing us both, I stepped into her personal space and bent down to her ear, “Doesn’t have to be a snowman.”

  She shivered and turned her face towards mine. All I would have to do would be to turn my head slightly and our lips would meet. Instead, I straightened and backed up to the center of the mat. The mindless confusion in her eyes pleased me on a primitive level.

  “How do I start?”

  I raised my face to the shower spray and let it beat down on my abused body. Hadley had made it look so easy. When I had tried… I sighed into the hot spray. She had probably tormented me on purpose after my tease.

  It had been disastrous in the beginning and now my body was crying for mercy. And I still had chores to do in the morning. I could have literally wept.

  If this was an example of what I would go through with Hadley as a coach, I wasn’t sure if I’d survive the experience. Yes, she was a damn fine coach, but my body wasn’t as disciplined as hers. Which she had pointed out in a subtle way; she had after I had fallen for what felt like the millionth time, suggested I start doing yoga to limber my body. The flexibility would help with the spins as well and then she demonstrated the flexibility yoga added. Yes, she definitely was out to torment me after my little stunt.

  A small knock resounded on the door before it cracked open slightly. “I found some large sweatpants that should fit you and a plain tee shirt. I’m setting them on the sink, and when you come out we can throw your clothes in the wash. There’s no point in sending you home with dirty clothes.”

  “Thanks, Hadley.”

  “Sure. I’ve got soup and tea if you’re hungry after your shower too.”

  “All right. I’ll be right out.”

  The door closed tightly and I sighed once again. She had been ruthless and unmerciful in the gym and now she was back to gracious hostess. The woman was a paradox of contradictions.

  I had decided sometime in the three hours I’d been in the gym that I’d go against my brothers without a qualm to keep Hadley as a coach. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that, my brothers could be reasonable–some of the time. I did have my trump card. Something I’d need to discuss with Hadley as well.

  I found her in the dining room, with a bowl of soup going cold, half a ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of what smelled like hot tea, also going cold. She was typing quickly on the laptop in front of her, completely focused on her words with her glasses sliding slowly down her nose. Instead of interrupting her, I filled my own bowl, found a second sandwich already made in the fridge, and poured my own tea. Carrying it all to the table was a test in balance, but unlike the earlier test, I managed without too much issue.

  I sat and quietly began eating. It was comfortable I realized after a few minutes. She was doing whatever, and I was replenishing energy, and not a word passed between us but neither was alone. I pondered what made it so easy to just sit in her company without a word.

  When I finished I simply sat and studied her until she looked over at me. She gave me a brilliant smile and pulled her glasses off.

  “Sorry,” Hadley rolled her shoulders, “completing some of the discussion questions for class.”

  I blinked—surprised and confused at once. “Class?”

  “Yes. I’m taking online classes for Finance and Accounting.” She shrugged. “It’s what I’m good at and I do enjoy numbers.”

  “You’re a pretty good coach too.”

  Hadley shrugged again. “It’s not something I see myself doing for the long haul. It was good to do when I first got out of the hospital, a way to keep my finger on the pulse of skating. Then being a judge for a little while did that, but then I realized, as time went by, I resented the fact I couldn’t skate like them anymore. I couldn’t be out there on that ice. At the same time, walking away from it is nearly impossible. It’s my heart, as much as numbers are; I have to find a balance.”

  “Will teaching me strain your balance?” I asked seriously. I didn’t want to be the one to break her. “I don’t want to do anything that could hurt you.”

  “I’ve been away long enough that it’s more bittersweet to watch you skate, to show you how to train your body to remember even when your mind isn’t completely aware. It doesn’t hurt like it used to, but I imagine as time continues to pass it will hurt less and less.” Hadley closed the laptop and stood. She may have tried to hide the brief flash of pain with the motion but I caught it. “It’s late. We should probably settle in for the night
if you’re going to try and leave for chores in the morning.”

  “Would it be a problem if I had college classes to do while skating?”

  Hadley shook her head as she took her untouched food to the counter. “No. It’s good to keep your mind sharp. Just make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew.” She turned and smiled again. “Good night, North.”

  “Good night, Hadley.” I watched her walk away before rising and cleaning up what she had left until morning. I knew I wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight anyway.

  Hadley

  I sighed and looked at the clock. I supposed it was a good thing my internal clock still woke me at five in the morning. Since my experience told me I wouldn’t be going back to sleep, I climbed out of my swaying bed and shivered. Either it had gotten ridiculously cold outside or the heat wasn’t on high enough to compensate for the cold.

  Quietly, in case North was still asleep, I checked the thermostats and the windows. The windows were brand new, and didn’t leak any air, thank goodness and the thermostat was fairly high at seventy-five. That left a low power from the panels–they either needed cleaned off or repositioned. And there was no way I could get on the roof to do so.

  I made coffee first. When waking a body that wasn’t a morning person it was best to have coffee on hand. Then I knocked on the guest room door before opening it. “North?”

  I got a mutter of some kind in return, so cautiously stepped into the room. I set the coffee on the nightstand before bending over him to shake him, lightly, awake. “North, I need a favor before you leave for chores.”

  I didn’t have a chance to move or react when one of his hands shot out and yanked me down to the bed. I squealed–unfortunately–with the motion but luckily landed on my side without any bruises other than my pride.

  North curled up around me and held me close. “Time zit?” He tossed a leg over mine and wrapped his arms around my waist. I felt his breath stirring my hair as he rubbed his face in it.

  It took a minute to decipher what he said, not only from the slurring but also over the racing beat of my heart. I knew from the gym last night North had muscles; I just hadn’t anticipated how I would react with those muscles pressed tightly against me as he cuddled. Or the fact I could feel every inch of his…morning wood. I had to force myself to breathe and try to retain rational thought.

  When I realized he had asked for the time I winced before I spoke, “A little after five.”

  “Too early to be up yet.” He murmured into my hair and then drew tighter against me. His head moved and his lips brushed against my ear. I squirmed a little and he groaned softly. His slight shift pressed an all too obvious growing erection firmly against my hip bone. “Lie still, Hadley. Just go back to sleep for an hour or two. I have an alarm set.”

  “We’re losing power.” I said quietly hoping my words didn’t sound as breathy to him as they had to my own ears. I had to give him credit for control. Other than the press of his erection against my hip, he made no move to act on it. If he held on any longer, I might act on it. I was only human and he was very attractive in many forms. “The panels need looked at or we’re going to freeze instead of sleep.”

  He sighed heavily; I couldn’t help the small shiver from its course over my ear and neck or the natural reaction to rub lightly against his body. “Coffee?” he murmured and released me slightly pulling away. I bit my lip to keep from whimpering at the loss of contact and heat. It was a good thing he’d pull away. In a few more seconds, I would have probably embarrassed myself.

  “Nightstand.” I managed quietly and gave him points for not being a grump. Then again, I should probably deduct points for the impromptu snuggle. Or maybe that was a good thing?

  North sat up slowly and stretched. He reached over me for the cup and sipped it in bed. I sat up slowly and just watched him.

  He’d taken his shirt off before lying down and since he was sitting up, every muscle from stomach to fingertip was on display. I was right in my assumption of his muscles. Mine weren’t as defined as his, but it was a close race. The little bit of light from the clock glinted off something on his chest.

  “You have a piercing?” I asked without thinking it through then bit my tongue. Now he would know I had been staring.

  He grinned over his cup. “Most find it…exciting.”

  “I bet,” I muttered unsure how I felt that he liked to show it off. “Well, get up. We’ve got work to do.” It came out in a snap and I climbed out of the bed before I wasted any more time staring at the silver, I was pretty sure it was a silver bar in his left nipple. His arm had blocked the right side so I had no idea if that was pierced too. I had no reason to snap other than my own unfamiliar denial.

  “Why do you think it’s the panels?” he asked drinking more of the coffee.

  “The heat’s low, I’m thinking the solar panels are either covered or need turned to adjust for the winter sun. The ladder going up is on my landing, but for obvious reasons I can’t do ladders.” I looked a few inches over his left shoulder instead of at him. I figured it was the safest thing to do all around. “You’re clothes are dry, I can go get them if you’d like.”

  “I thought there would be batteries for the panels to charge. Shouldn’t you have power for a while if they’re not working?”

  “Rink’s on,” I commented still without looking at him. “I don’t think the panels have been updated with the more efficient ones. I know from my visits, the rink can sustain for weeks on the batteries if they’re fully charged, but I have no idea how long snow’s been on the roof, or if any of the panels are broken. I assume you’re right and there is probably a deeper issue, but I’d like you to check before I call the solar people out here.”

  He shrugged and climbed out of bed. “I can check.” He stood entirely too close to hand me the mug as he walked passed and I thankfully didn’t bobble it. The sweatpants had drooped low, and I had–any woman would I told myself–briefly taken an overall survey. He was certainly more than he seemed in clothes. And his right nipple was also pierced. Damn.

  North

  It was interesting to know Hadley wasn’t as disinterested as she seemed. I hadn’t intended on pulling her down into bed, but I had smelled her the moment she came close and my still sleep mind wanted her there in bed with me. I wasn’t sure with the professional relationship we were starting, if Hadley would allow for a more personal one. It was something I would be more than happy to tow the line on.

  It had been amusing that she wouldn’t look at me after she’d climbed out of the bed. She wasn’t as shy as her façade implied, I was sure of that now. She hadn’t stiffened in my arms, something I wasn’t sure she was aware of. As much as I wanted her in bed with me, if she hadn’t wanted to be there she would have instantly pulled away. After her temper with Thierry last night, I didn’t see her as the kind of woman that would allow herself to be pressured or bullied into anything she wasn’t comfortable with.

  Hadley was, I found out after dressing, a champion hoverer. “It opens to the storage shed up there. The roof is slanted to the south, about thirty degrees. It shouldn’t be hard to walk on.”

  “I’ve got it, Hadley. Go back inside before you freeze. I can manage something this simple. We have panels on the cow barn. They’re no mystery to me.” I shooed her back into the door as I reached for a rung and began climbing the ladder.

  I ignored her hovering in the door as I climbed up and at the top turned the handle and pushed open the hatch-like door. As I pulled myself up Hadley called up to me.

  “There should be stuff up there to make cleaning off the panels easier.”

  “Go inside, Hadley.” I shouted back. “It’s too cold out here without a jacket.” To solve the matter I closed the hatch behind me. She’d have no reason to stand on the landing if I wasn’t going to listen to her.

  The shed had windows that allowed enough light to filter in so I didn’t trip over my own feet. I saw the brushes for the panels along a w
all and ignored those for the moment in favor of the information panel on the adjoining wall. Power was down to half, which was unusual, but depending on how long the panels had been covered not unheard of. I grabbed a brush, pulled my cap on tighter then opened the outside door.

  I cursed not so silently at the biting cold and the foot and a half of snow covering all twenty-four panels lining the roof. I trudged to the end of the row and began meticulously clearing snow. With four panels done another person came trudging down the rooftop.

  I was ready to curse at Hadley until I recognized my oldest brother.

  Thierry sighed out his breath, “I brought the plow over for your truck and hooked it on. When you’re done here, you can plow their lot. Morgaine has pulled out the snow blower and I expect you to take care of their walkways too. Rhett’s up doing our walks and Wesley’s in his truck plowing our work yard. I didn’t think about the panels until Hadley mentioned it so I’ve called Wesley to let him know the ladies are going to need all the panels cleared after this snow. And we need to clear the ones over at our place too. I’ve already dealt with the cows. Keeping the power on is more important at the moment.”

  “You going to help up here?” I asked as I moved to the next panel.

  Thierry held up the brush he carried and nodded. “I’m going to work up from the other end. It’s good this roof is slanted and the panels don’t sit on the ground. We need to talk later.”

  “I know.” I said. “Let’s just get this done first. I’d rather not risk frostbite this year.”

  Thierry nodded and walked back to the other end.

  Even with the two of us, clearing the panels good enough that they could generate enough heat to melt the blowing snow, took a couple of hours. I slipped out without seeing Hadley, and began the laborious job of clearing the Knifeblade work yard. It was wider than the Graton yard, and the drives between the greenhouses had to be cleared for Morgaine’s Gators.