Hagen

by Janice M. Whiteaker

  “Nope.” He slammed the door shut.

  “Isn’t that your mom?” Rhea peered at the door from her spot against the wall. Her brow furrowed at the outline outside the window.

  Hagen took a deep breath and blew it back out. He yanked the door back open. “Apparently I should let you come in.”

  “Hey honey.” His mother walked in as if he hadn’t just shut the door in her face, breezing past him and making a beeline to Rhea. “How are you feeling?” She grabbed Rhea’s hands in hers and studied her face. “Is he taking good care of you?”

  Rhea peeked around his mom, giving him a warm smile that he could almost feel. “He is.”

  “I knew he would be. That’s why I didn’t come check on you until now.” She winked at Rhea. “Give you two some time alone.” Gail opened the side door he just closed and Christine came in carrying a large stack of containers. “He is a little lackluster on his cooking skills though so I wanted to be sure the fridge was stocked since you’re staying here now?”

  She looked at Rhea, waiting for an answer.

  Rhea studied his mother for a second then her eyes moved to him. “I am taking it a day at a time.” She smiled at Gail. “I’m sure Chauncey will have me back in the woods soon.”

  His mother started loading containers into his mostly empty fridge. “You don’t want to go back out there do you? After what happened?” She stood back and closed the door. “If that bear hadn’t lost interest in you then who knows what would have happened?”

  Rhea’s eyes slid to him. “I was super lucky that bear just ran away wasn’t I.”

  Christine watched from her spot against the counter. “Were you hurt badly?”

  “Nope. Just a scratch.” Hagen stepped behind his mother and Christine, stretching his arms out to corral them back out the door. “Thanks for bringing the food. I’ll come over in a bit to check out the disposal at the B&B for you.”

  “Bring Rhea with you.” Gail glanced at Christine then back at Rhea. “She could probably use to get out of this house for a bit.”

  “We’ll see.” He pushed them over the threshold. “See you later.”

  Hagen closed the door and turned his back to it. Rhea raised an eyebrow at him. “What was that about?”

  That was something he wasn’t quite ready to disclose yet. Rhea was taking the discovery of his beast like a champ but telling her what Christine and his mother believed she was might be a little bit too much. Even for her.

  “How about I get to ask some questions.” He stepped toward her. “Medical school?”

  She noticeably tensed and the air around him felt uneasy.

  “Not all of it. Just until...” Rhea took a long slow breath and he could almost see her working through what she would say. “My parents are both doctors.”

  He nodded and relaxed back against the counter. “That’s interesting.”

  “So is my sister.” The words had an edge to them.

  “Everyone but you?”

  “Yup.” It bothered her. He didn’t have to be an empath to understand the disappointment and guilt she felt.

  Hagen imagined Rhea being around suffering and sickness all day every day. “Someone like you could never do a job like that.”

  “I know.” Her voice was quiet.

  She knew, but that didn’t mean her family did. He moved to stand in front of her, rubbing his hands over her arms. “Doesn’t your family understand?”

  Rhea shook her head. “That’s not really something they could grasp.”

  Hagen looked down at her. The woman he wanted more than anything. The woman he wanted to stay here with him. Maybe this was the key to figuring out how to persuade her to want the same thing. “Are you happy with what you do?”

  “I love it.” She brightened. “I think film touches people in a way nothing else does.” She thought for a minute. “If it’s done right.”

  “And you think Chauncey will do it right?”

  “No.” Her disappointment deepened along with the worry line between her eyebrows.

  He kissed it. “Then why are you here?”

  “Stewart convinced me Chauncey would be interested in hearing my ideas. Maybe working together.” Rhea twisted her lips to one side. “I was hoping to inspire him to use his platform for something a little more important than Bigfoot.” Her eyes jumped to his. “No offense.”

  Hagen laughed. “None taken.” He pulled her away from the wall and ushered her to a chair at the table. Rhea didn’t know but she’d just given him everything he needed to give her a reason to stay a little longer. A reason besides him anyway. “Let’s have some lunch and maybe go out exploring a little bit.” He pulled out a container of chicken and dumplings. Between his mother’s cooking and the beauty of the mountains he hoped to lay a strong foundation to build on.

  If things went the way he hoped after that, Rhea wouldn’t even think of leaving Greenlea anytime soon.

  “I should go check on Stewart and Chauncey. See what’s going on with them.” Rhea turned in her chair to watch as he heated up their lunch. “I wonder if they worked things out. We didn’t get the chance to talk about it this morning.”

  Hagen raised his brows at her. “Based on the way he ran out of here when I told him Chauncey was back from the airport I would say they’re just fine.” But her idea was still a good one. “Maybe we could all go out for dinner tonight. It’s a bit of a drive but there are some nice places in Sulphur Springs.”

  Rhea smiled at him. “That is a great idea.”

  Hagen smiled back. Yes it was.

  Yes it was.

  15

  “What in the hell did you put down here?” Hagen flipped the switch on the wall by the sink. The disposal let out a low, grinding grumble that almost masked the one rumbling through his chest as he glared at Gail. “It sounds jammed.”

  Gail pushed up on her toes and looked over his shoulder. “Just the normal sort of things one puts down a disposal.” She wrinkled her nose. “Whatever it is, it stinks.”

  Hagen flipped off the water. “That’s because there’s a pile of...” He peered into the drain. “Are those potato skins?”

  “They’re organic.”

  Hagen turned to face his mother. “What in the hell difference does that make?”

  Rhea stood up from her spot at the long table in the bed and breakfast’s kitchen. “I think I might take a walk while you do that.” The mother and son’s banter would normally be amusing and endearing but right now it was too much. After the past twenty-four hours she needed a little time alone to sort herself out. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”

  She gave Hagen a quick wave as he gaped up at her and slipped out the back door onto the enclosed porch before he could argue. Once she stepped outside it was as if the air around her lightened. Rhea took a deep breath of the warm afternoon air. The heavy humidity of the past week lifted for the day, leaving it hot but not nearly as oppressive. She walked through the large yard space at the back of the sprawling building, enjoying the peace and quiet of being alone.

  A small gazebo sat at the back of the lot surrounded by well kept hedges and climbing red roses. The sides were covered in the same white siding as the B&B and a matching green roof. A large rock water feature dug into the ground at its foundation and curved around one side like a small waterfall. It would be the perfect place to sit and relax while she worked her way through what was happening in her life.

  But it looked like someone else thought the same thing.

  Rhea could feel the energy radiating from the small building. It was strong and clear and different. Most people’s energy moved around them on its own, without purpose or direction. This came to her like a beacon.

  She hesitated. It was Christine.

  Was Gail’s friend like her? Could that explain the difference in her energy? Rhea crept toward the gazebo, testing the waters, seeing just how Christine’s energy felt as it mingled with hers.

  A buzzing started in Rhea’s ears. The cl
oser she stepped, the louder it got until it almost crackled against her eardrums. A staticy feeling crawled over her skin, like pulling over-dried laundry from the dryer.

  Rhea stepped into the gazebo’s doorway. Christine sat on one of the built-in benches that lined the octagonal building. Gail’s friend smiled. It was warm and calm, easing the uncertainty gnawing at Rhea’s stomach.

  “Sit down.” Christine’s voice was soft and sweet. She motioned to the bench across the building. “You probably want to be over there though.”

  Rhea sat down, her hands gripping the smooth wood of the bench as she tried to blink away the odd sensations running around her body.

  “You can feel it can’t you?”

  Rhea nodded. There was no sense in denying it. Especially since she hoped Christine could enlighten her on what exactly it was that she was experiencing.

  Christine smiled. The heavy weight of the air receded, taking the oddly charged feelings with it. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I didn’t know how sensitive you were.”

  Christine knew. Did Hagen tell her?

  “Oh no.” Christine shook her head. “That man wouldn’t tell me anything if his life depended on it.”

  Rhea blinked. She hadn’t said that out loud. She was sure of it. “Are you telepathic?”

  Christine tipped her head to one side. “No. But neither are you. Sometimes people are easy to read.” She smiled. “Especially for those of us who can see more.”

  Rhea shook her head. “I don’t see things.”

  “Just because you don’t use your eyes doesn’t mean you don’t see.” Christine held up one hand her palm facing Rhea. Warmth spread over her chest, moving down her arms. “How do I feel right now?”

  Rhea swallowed as the emotion poured into her. “Happy.”

  Christine nodded. “Very happy.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re here.”

  ****

  “You’re awfully quiet this evening.” Hagen reached across his truck to squeeze her leg. “Everything okay?”

  Rhea nodded, pushing on a smile. “I think I’m just tired.”

  His brow lowered. “Should we go back?”

  “No.” She put her hand over his. “I’m hungry.” She looked in the side mirror at the small red car behind them. “Plus Stewart would kill me if I ruined his date night.”

  Rhea focused on where her hand covered Hagen’s. She imagined her energy as heat, letting it collect in her palm until she could feel the warmth. Then she pushed it into his hand.

  He turned to look, his eyes lingering for just a second before moving back to the road.

  Her heart pounded in her chest.

  He felt it. Hagen felt her energy.

  Christine was right.

  Rhea glanced at the man beside her. One arm stretched to the top of the steering wheel, the muscles long and strong.

  It made her doubt Christine was right about everything she told her today. Hagen was so big. So capable. Even without the beast inside him. How could his fate ever depend on her?

  She looked out the window as the elevation evened out and the houses started coming closer together. It was strange not to see the mountains. She’d only been in Greenlea two weeks and it already felt normal. LA would be a shock to her system when she went back.

  Her stomach turned at the thought.

  Hagen pulled into the parking lot of a decent sized shopping mall and parked his truck in a spot near the front. Chauncey’s little red Prius pulled into the open spot on her side. Stewart’s boyfriend jumped out and opened her door, smiling as she got out.

  “I bet you’re happy to see some civilization.” He looked back at the lights of the mall, glowing as the sun set. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

  Rhea looked at the wide expanse of blacktop filled with cars. Hagen stood at the back of the truck, his eyes on her. He was waiting.

  She looked at him. “I haven’t missed it as much as you would think.”

  Before she could feel his reaction Stewart bumped into Hagen’s side, wrapping one arm around the bigger man’s wide shoulders, grinning at Chauncey. “Can you blame her?”

  Chauncey wrinkled his nose for a split second. His eyes widened. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. I just mean you’re not my type.”

  Stewart ran one hand over his bald head, eyeing Hagen. “We can’t all be this devastatingly attractive.”

  Hagen started laughing.

  Stewart looked at Rhea, raising his brows. He held up two fingers and mouthed the word twice.

  Hagen slapped him on the back. “Yeah. Yeah. You’re a regular comedian now.”

  Rhea hung back as Stewart laced his fingers with Chauncey’s and the men walked through the parking lot toward the restaurant they decided on this afternoon. Stewart laughed at something Chauncey said, resting his head on Chauncey’s shoulder for a second as they walked.

  Hagen wrapped one arm around her back, resting his hand on her hip, the warmth of his palm stretching across the long scratch from the bear.

  A mark of salvation across her hip. Christine’s words loomed in her mind.

  “Where’s Chauncey from?” Hagen eased her forward.

  “New York.”

  “The city or the state?”

  “Both.” She gave him a smile trying to push the weight of all Christine said out of her mind and off her shoulders.

  “You been?”

  “What? To New York?” Her attention was back on Stewart and Chauncey. They looked so happy. “Yes. For a job once.” She watched as Stewart brushed the hair off Chauncey’s forehead. It gave her an odd feeling in her stomach. Almost like jealousy. And fear.

  “Do you like the city?” His words sounded casual. They were meant to. But she could feel the hesitation and anticipation behind them.

  For the first time Rhea realized just how unfair of an advantage she had. One it would be easy to exploit and use to protect herself, while leaving Hagen in the dark to fend for himself.

  It felt wrong.

  Rhea looked at Hagen, pushing the guilty feelings down next to the unrest she felt watching Stewart and Chauncey. “It’s not my favorite.” She smiled as his warmth surrounded her.

  “Come on.” Stewart stood on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, his hands on his hips. “I am hungry.”

  Rhea rolled her eyes at Stewart and he blew her a kiss. A twinge of sadness formed in her chest.

  What if he wanted to leave her and go to Chauncey? What would she do without him?

  Stewart was the best friend she’d ever had. The only person who ever truly understood her.

  She loved him.

  He held the door open for her. “You need to eat too. You still look a little pasty.” Stewart looked Hagen up and down. “You better be feeding her right.”

  Stewart was kidding but his comment only helped that sadness lodge deeper in her heart. He’d been the one she came home to every night for the last three years. Sometimes they even worked together during the day. He’d taken care of her when she was sick. She spent holidays with his family because hers was always working, doing important things, like saving lives, while she was off ‘flitting around’ LA

  He was her best friend. He was her confidant. He was her rock. He was her family.

  And soon he might be gone.

  Hagen pulled her tight against his side. She looked up at him, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. He brushed his thumb across her cheek.

  “Don’t worry.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Everything will be alright.”

  Rhea looked up at him. “What?”

  Hagen tipped his head to one side. “I said everything will be alright.”

  She heard what he said. Maybe what was the wrong question. “What made you say that?”

  He was quiet for a minute. “I don’t know. I thought you were upset about something.”

  “Oh.” Rhea sat in the chair he pulled out for her across from Stewart. She watched from the corner of
her eye as Hagen slid into the seat beside her, his large frame dominating the table.

  Maybe Hagen wasn’t as in the dark as she thought.

  ****

  “This is still the same town?” Rhea stepped out of the truck, looking around at the small cluster of houses situated off the gravel road.

  “Town is a pretty loose definition up here.” Hagen shut her door. “It’s the same county.”

  Rhea was quiet as her eyes studied the small decrepit buildings. “It’s so different.”

  He laced his fingers with hers. “Greenlea is different.” He looked at the sagging porches and tarp covered roof lines. “This is normal around here.”

  Last night he learned a lot. Some about Stewart, some about Chauncey, and some about her. He wanted to give her, and as a result Stewart and Chauncey, a reason to stick around for a little while longer. Long enough he could figure out how to get her to stay on a more permanent basis.

  Last night Hagen figured out exactly what would make them stay.

  “Most of this area is very, very poor.” He brushed his thumb across her hand, wanting to ease her sadness. “I know you want to make films that have an impact. Maybe make a difference.” He waited for her to look at him.

  “I think you could do that here.”

  Rhea’s eyes moved back to the row of houses as a door opened and shut, a group of kids running and leaping from the ragged boards lining the porch of the largest of the houses.

  Three bigger boys ran ahead with their little brother pulling up the rear. Their eyes were bright as they rushed up to him. “Did you bring us anything?”

  Hagen smiled down at the group. “Hey boys.”

  Their dad came around the side of the house, wiping his greasy hands on a threadbare towel. He grinned at Hagen. “Hey man.”

  Hagen grabbed his friend’s hand and pulled him in for a backslapping hug. “How’s it going?”

  David shrugged. “Fair to middlin.” His eyes moved to Rhea.

  Hagen wrapped one arm around her, answering Dave’s unspoken question. “This is Rhea.”

  Dave gave her a nod. “Nice to meet you.” He held up one still slightly dirty hand. “Sorry I’m a mess.”