Fated Hearts (6 page)

A rustling in the woods caught her attention, and she turned her head toward the sound. She held still in her chair, hoping to catch a glimpse of the animal moving through the brush. She’d made a game of trying to identify the different wildlife. There were many that called this area of Minnesota home; she was the interloper.

But what she did see, she wasn’t sure she believed.

It was Tala Gael and what appeared to be a wolf. The child walked alongside the animal without any fear, apparently chatting with it, animatedly from Henley’s perspective, as though the beast were tame. As quickly as they entered her line of sight, they disappeared among the ferns and bushes. Henley stood on the porch, battling with indecision.
Should I follow her? Or should I call Maggie?

She’d taken one hesitant step toward the edge of the porch when the sounds of a vehicle approaching caught her attention. Henley stopped, curious, and watched as her Grand Prix approached. The engine cut, and Carter alighted from the driver’s seat.

“Morning,” he called to her, his smile bright.

“That’s my car.” She could have kicked herself for stating the obvious.

“Can’t get anything by you, can I?”

“I meant to say, what’s my car doing here? I haven’t finished paying Al yet.”

“Well, Al holds the contract for maintenance of all municipal vehicles, and I told him to charge the balance to the sheriff’s office.” He stopped a few feet from the bottom step and hooked his thumbs in his front pockets.

“Who said that was okay? I didn’t.”

“Nobody. I thought you’d want your own ride. Got the sense you didn’t enjoy being beholden to the Gaels.”

“And you thought I’d prefer to be beholden to you?” Her hands clenched the porch rail. “You have some nerve, McAlister.”

“Hold it.” He raised one hand and thrust it through his hair. “You’re not beholden to anyone. Al gets paid in full, you get your car, and the money you owe the county—not me personally—comes out of your paycheck. I figured the same amount and frequency you and Al had agreed to because you felt that was fair. You’ll have to approve it with the comptroller on Monday. But at least this way you have your car back.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh. I didn’t mention it because I wanted it to be a surprise. But if you’d be more comfortable borrowing the Gaels’ ranch truck, I’d be happy to take this hunk of junk back to Al’s.”

“It’s not a hunk of junk.” She tilted her head. “You’re mad.”

“Yeah, you know what, I am. I tried to be helpful, and you bit my head off.”

“I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions. Thank you.” She caught the keys he tossed her. Her car was back. And with it, she lost her excuse for staying in town and keeping the job at the sheriff’s office. She could simply hop in the driver’s seat and find a new place—one that didn’t include the nosy, meddling, arrogant sheriff. He was too smart not to have considered the possibility. “What’s to stop me from leaving?”

“Not a damn thing.”

“You’ve already thought of that, the fact that I could, and still you made sure I got my car back. You’re very trusting. Didn’t you used to be a cop in Philadelphia?”

“Yeah. And?”

“Didn’t think a big-city police officer would be naïve.”

“I’m not a big-city police officer anymore, am I? Now I’m a small-town sheriff. And I don’t think I’m naïve. You want to leave? Leave. But I think you’ll stick. At least for a while. You’re hiding. Oh, don’t make a face, you are. Believe me, I should know. And whether you like it or will admit it, you’re also healing. And I get that too.”

She balanced the car keys in her hand; for the first time in a long time their weight didn’t feel like freedom. The contentment she’d enjoyed an hour ago resonated. He was right. She would stick. But she didn’t think the sexy sheriff needed to be told that.

“Should I infer that you’re hiding and healing as well? Maybe spill my guts to the insightful Carter McAlister?”

“You’re a tough nut, Elliott.” He shook his head. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I didn’t bring your car out with any ulterior motives. You ever heard the saying ‘don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’?”

“I always favored ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’” She couldn’t help smiling when he laughed.

“You’ve got secrets. Fine. So do I. And as long as you’re not breaking any laws, you’re entitled to keep them same as everyone else.”

“And that’s it?”

“Yep.” He hooked his thumb in his pocket and grinned winningly. “Well, that and I’d appreciate a ride back into town.”

“Sure. Give me a minute.” Henley dashed into the cabin and grabbed her purse. Carter was standing in the doorway when she turned.

“I love that no matter which window you’re facing in this place, there's a terrific view.”

She nodded. “I thought I saw Maggie’s little girl hiking earlier.”

“You probably did. Turnip runs wild in these woods.” He stepped back as she closed and locked the door. “It’s not necessary to lock the door, ya know?”

“Maggie said the same when I first took up here. But as I told her, it’s a good habit to keep.”

“Because eventually you’ll be back on the road and need to keep yourself safe.” She glanced at him, measuring his words. She didn’t sense any sarcasm or censure. She nodded.

“That’s smart.”

“Thanks. They let her roam the woods by herself?”

“Well, it is right in their backyard. They set boundaries, and Tala isn’t of the age or disposition to start pushing those boundaries yet. Why does it bother you?”

“I thought there was a wolf with her. A big one. It startled me. I almost followed them.” Henley slid into the driver’s seat and gave the steering wheel a friendly caress. Carter grinned as he fastened his seat belt. She shrugged, not caring if he was amused by the gesture. “It had to have been a dog, right? I mean, she didn’t appear scared. She was chattering.”

“Could have been a wolf; we do get them around here occasionally. They wander over from the forestry lands.”

“But wouldn’t Tala know better than to get near one? That’s dangerous.”

“Turnip has a … way with animals. It’s spooky. And, like I said, these woods are her backyard; her parents have raised her to have respect for the land and the animals. If she sensed danger, she’d have given the animal a wide berth. Think of it like a city kid navigating public transportation—instincts bred from experience.” He pulled out his cell phone. “But I’ll give Maggie a buzz, let her know.”

“You’re doing that for my benefit, aren’t you?”

“You’re worried about your neighbor, your landlord and, dare I say, your friend’s daughter. That’s a good thing. And if, God forbid, Tala was in trouble, someone should call her mother. Plus, it’ll ease your mind.”

“A win-win?”

“Those are my specialty. Hey, Mags.” Henley tuned out his side of the conversation and enjoyed the bucolic landscape, the prettiest area she’d seen in her travels. She wasn’t in a hurry to move. Her feet weren’t itching. That was interesting. She felt more at home here than she had at her parents’. But now that she had her car back, when she did get urge to leave, she could.

She knew he’d ended the call. And she appreciated that he didn’t fill the car with unnecessary conversation. He hadn’t been anything but friendly. He hadn’t ridiculed her, or, to the best of her knowledge, spread gossip around town about her. He was careful with her and respectful, not wary of the crazy lady.

“You said that being crazy wasn’t an employment deterrent.”

“And?”

“You implied that you’re not altogether sane.”

“Is this a professional inquiry, Doc?”

“If it were?”

“I’d suggest you perform an anatomically impossible maneuver.” She snorted. “Or perhaps butcher the proverb ‘Doctor, heal thyself.’”

“Physician, heal thyself.”

“Whatever. You don’t want to talk about yourself, but you expect me to bare my soul?”

“I wouldn’t have put it like that.”

“Course you wouldn’t.” He pointed to the general store. “You can let me off here; I need to get a few things.”

“Have I upset you?” Henley asked as she pulled to the side of the road.

“Nah.” But she didn’t believe the casual dismissal. Something in his tone of voice, the set of his jaw, made her think he had spoken honestly at the cabin—she wasn’t the only one with secrets. And she didn’t think he appreciated her query. Carter had demons of his own, demons that, like her, he tried to hide from prying eyes. Maybe now he’d stop asking her so many questions. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Thank you, sincerely, for making sure I got my car sooner rather than later. I appreciate it. And I give you my word that the county will get fully reimbursed.”

“But not that you’ll stay. You’ve got a clever way with words, Doc.” He popped open the car door, and she allowed herself a second to appreciate his fine behind as he stood. She jerked her eyes to his face as he leaned in the open door. “As far as secrets go, I’ll make you a deal: Show me yours, I’ll show you mine.” He winked. Henley got the impression the double entendre was intended. “See you around.”

• • •

Henley ran her hand over the dash and smiled. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her car or the joy of having freedom at her fingertips. After dropping Carter off, she’d decided to go for a drive and had ended up at the mall in Brandwyne. Giving in to impulse, an action she hadn’t felt comfortable doing in what felt like years, she had spent a lazy afternoon munching on fried food-court fare, people watching, and window shopping. She’d passed the bookstore, and her nerdy heart had leapt.

Glancing down at the sack of new paperbacks with a level of anticipation most women reserved for lovers, she slowed the Grand Prix and turned into the wooded lane that led to the cabin. Since it was about thirty minutes past dusk, the motion-triggered lights lining the narrow drive clicked on and off as she approached the solitary building. The solar-powered porch light, a beacon that seemed to glimmer on and off as the brush alternately obscured it from view, grew brighter as she approached the cabin. When the car breached the tree line, chills ran up her spine, and her stomach knotted with a different breed of anticipation.

The front door—which she remembered locking—stood open.

Henley applied the brake and put the car into park but left it running while she retrieved her cell phone from her purse. She dialed Maggie’s number while visually assessing her surroundings. The forest she’d found comforting that morning now felt sinister. She could barely see beyond the perimeter of the parking area. Anyone could be out there, only a few yards away, watching her. She imagined the sensation of being watched. Or was it happening again? When Maggie’s cheerful greeting echoed in Henley’s ear, she jumped.

“It’s me, Henley. Were you or your husband in the cabin today?”

“No, why?”

“What about Tala? I saw her hiking nearby earlier.”

“She doesn’t have a key. Why?”

“As far as you know, no one had a reason to be in there? You didn’t send over a contractor or a service person?”

“No.” Maggie’s tone became forceful. “What the fuck is going on? I won’t ask again.” Henley explained. In her experience, panic would’ve been a common response. Maggie remained calm. And as forceful. The woman impressed her. “Hang up. Drive here. Now. I’m calling Carter.”

Henley didn’t want Carter here. She didn’t want to involve anyone. Her eyes couldn’t hold still, her ears pricked to every noise around her, but the open door drew her attention. She felt fear creeping up the back of her neck, begging to take over, but she wouldn’t let it. She couldn’t. She inhaled a deep, steadying breath. Okay, someone had to come out. It makes sense that Maggie would call the sheriff’s office, even if Carter wasn’t like family. And of all the possible responders, Carter would be best because he’d seen her lock that door and had commented on it. Plus, he was an experienced police officer. She couldn’t deal with Deputy Doug right now. But she wouldn’t bring her problems any closer to the Gaels than she already had.

“Hen?” Maggie’s tone held a note of fear.

“Sorry, I was woolgathering.”

“Are you freakin’ kiddin’ me?” Despite the fact that Maggie’s education and upbringing made it difficult to ascertain exactly where she originated, at times her eastern roots became apparent. Something about Maggie’s outburst, maybe the accent, amused Henley and she bit back a grin. She felt the panic begin to abate. She couldn’t help but like her landlady.

“I guess woolgathering was a poor choice of words.” Maggie’s uncouth snort sounded even less dignified over the tiny phone. Henley’s grin grew into a smile. “I’ll wait here for Carter, Mags. And I won’t get out of the car. You have my word.”

A form filled her peripheral vision, outside the thin plane of glass in her car door. She screamed, dropped her cell, and lunged for her purse.

“Hey. Hey, it’s me, Aidan Gael. Maggie’s husband.” He hollered to be heard through the glass. Henley’s hand tightened around the pistol inside her handbag. He turned on his flashlight, tilted it up, and illuminated the side of his face. Henley released her death grip on the gun and rolled the window down about an inch. “I’m sorry I scared you, Ms. Elliott.”

She was aware of Aidan’s speculative attention as she tucked her phone into her purse. She looked up at him and pointed to her right. By the time she had parked near to where she’d pointed and climbed out of the driver’s seat, he had closed the distance.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, you only startled me.” She fought the urge to back further away from him. His light eyes were hidden beneath a furrowed brow, and with the shadows cast over his features by the forest ceiling, Aidan’s handsome features appeared threatening. His legs were braced shoulder-width apart, his arms crossed his chest, and his chin was tucked down, affecting what she thought a deliberately forbidding pose. He was the type of man she was conditioned to fear. “I haven’t gone inside.”

“That’s the one smart thing you have done.”

“Pardon me?”

“You weren’t on the phone with Carter or anyone else from the sheriff’s office, were you?” She didn’t answer. “And instead of hightailing it over to our house or back to town, where you’d be safe, you stayed here. What if I had been a predator?”