More Than a Touch (Snowberry Creek #2) (4 page)

Approaching footsteps warned him the local angler had noticed Leif’s interest in the truck. The salesman came trolling by, hoping to set the hook good and proper.

“Good afternoon, Corporal. I see you picked out the best vehicle on the lot.”

Leif wouldn’t know. He hadn’t bothered to look at any of the others. He peeled his eyes away from the truck long enough to glance around. The salesman wasn’t exaggerating. Everything else looked faded and shopworn by comparison. That was probably an unfair assessment, but then, he’d always been a sucker for red trucks and cars.

“How much?”

If it was way out of his price range, there wasn’t any reason to even take the truck out for a quick spin. That didn’t keep him from opening the door to the cab to take a better look at the interior, though. Meanwhile, the salesman prattled on about everything but the price: one owner, well maintained, blah, blah, blah.

Finally, Leif pegged the man with a hard stare. “I repeat, how much?”

The price didn’t exactly send Leif into sticker shock, but it was a close call. He immediately stepped away and headed back toward Nick’s truck.

“Thanks. That’s all I needed to hear. No use in wasting any more of my time or yours. I’ll be going now.”

He hid a smile as the salesman trotted after him, sputtering. “Look, Corporal, I should have made it clear that was the price before we apply the military discount. Why don’t you come inside and have a seat? I’ll get us each a cup of coffee and then see what other discounts we can offer you.”

Leif made a point of looking at the time. “I suppose I have a few minutes. But I’ve got to tell you”—he leaned closer to read the man’s name tag—“Chuck, you’d have to come way off that price for me to even consider buying that truck. Way off.”

Chuck looked relieved. Maybe sales hadn’t been so good lately, which could work in Leif’s favor. As he followed the salesman into his office, Leif couldn’t help but wonder which one of them was about to hook a big one.

•   •   •

An hour later, Leif walked out of the dealership twirling the keys on his finger. He’d already called to see if Nick could come get his own truck so Leif could drive his new purchase home. Luckily, Callie had errands in town and could drop Nick off at the dealership.

They should be pulling into the parking lot at any second. While he waited, Leif circled the truck with a big grin on his face. If he’d had any doubts about the wisdom of buying the first truck he’d looked at, they’d been vanquished by the test drive. The truck hummed with power and handled like a dream.

He’d just finished his second lap, admiring all its attributes, when Callie pulled into the parking lot. She and Nick joined him in staring at the truck. Why didn’t either of them say anything?

“Well?”

Nick let out a low whistle. “Hot damn, Corporal, she’s a beauty. I can see why you bought her. Hell, I’d have been tempted myself.”

Callie joined in. “You know, I’m pretty sure I know who used to own this truck. If I’m right about that, you can rest assured it was well maintained. Mr. Wolfe takes good care of everything he owns.”

“That’s the name the salesman told me. He was surprised I wasn’t familiar with it. Sounds like the previous owner is one of the big fish in this little pond.”

“That’s true. His family actually founded the town.” Callie trailed her fingers along the fender. “Well, congrats on the truck, Leif, but I’d better get going. See you both at dinner.”

She paused to give the sergeant a quick kiss before heading back to her car. Both men watched in silence until she was gone. It was nice to see his friend smiling more often. Meanwhile, he handed Nick back his keys. “Thanks both for the loan and for coming so I could drive this baby home.”

“No problem.”

Nick kept his eyes firmly on the truck, but he definitely had something on his mind. Leif figured it was one of two things. Either he wanted to know what was up with Leif’s leg or if buying the truck meant Leif was going to stick around Snowberry Creek.

He bet it was the prognosis for his leg that had the man tied up in knots. “Sarge, you’re about to choke on whatever it is you’re trying to hold back, so just ask me. Either it’ll piss me off or it won’t. Besides, the suspense is killing me.”

“Okay, fine.” Nick released the breath he’d been holding. “So how did it go at the clinic today?”

Score one for Leif. “It turns out that Zoe Phillips, that woman who brought lasagna to the potluck, is the nurse practitioner in charge of my case. I go back in two days to find out what specific form of torture she and the therapist have in mind for me.”

Nick knelt down to study the front tire on Leif’s truck, staring at it as if the tread depth was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. “Are you going to do what they say?”

What choice did he have? None, not if he didn’t want to be tied to this fucking cane the rest of his life. “I’d be scared not to, considering the size of the guy in charge of my PT. I don’t know what Isaac did in the navy, but he could have bench-pressed a submarine.”

“How about Zoe? What did you think of her?”

“She’s nice enough. She’s also former army, so she’s had experience working with injuries like mine.”

Looking back, he bet she’d seen far worse, too. Something about the expression in her eyes had hinted that she’d had her fill of mangled limbs and bodies.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I didn’t miss the fact you were dancing with her at the party.”

What was he supposed to say? Yeah, he liked her, especially at the potluck. Today she was all business. That didn’t make her any less attractive, although her features were a little too strong to be merely pretty. The word “striking” came to mind, especially with the contrast between her nearly black hair and bright blue eyes. He had to say something, though. The last thing he wanted to do was give Nick the idea he’d been attracted to Zoe.

“Look, I was too busy trying not to punch somebody while they messed with my leg.”

Nick had moved on to poking around under the hood. “So, does this mean you’re going to stay in town long enough to help me rehab Spence’s house for Callie?”

“Yeah, for now anyway.”

It wasn’t like Leif had anywhere else he needed to be. Unlike Nick, he wasn’t particularly close to his family, something he’d had in common with Spence. Part of the reason he’d enlisted in the first place was to get away from his folks. They weren’t bad people, but they’d separated about the time he’d started high school. Overnight everything he’d ever known was gone, sort of like the way the beautiful symmetry of a spiderweb could be destroyed by the touch of a careless hand.

They had each remarried shortly after the divorce was finalized and started second families. That had left Leif the only one bouncing back and forth between two households, neither of which ever really felt like home.

Oh, he knew his folks had loved him and still did. He’d never doubted that much about them, but that didn’t mean he fit in with their new lives. Everyone, him included, was more comfortable with the occasional short visit between deployments. They wouldn’t know what to do with him if he showed up on their doorstep needing a long-term place to crash.

He could get his own crib, of course, but living in his hometown held no appeal. It had been years since he’d had any contact with the crowd he’d hung out with in high school. Sitting on his ass by himself night after night? No, he didn’t think so.

“I’m glad to hear it, Leif. There’ll be enough to keep both of us busy for a long time to come.” Nick put the hood back down. “I have to report back to get processed out, but I shouldn’t be gone all that long. I’ll sleep easier knowing you’re here to keep an eye on Mooch and the house. Callie will appreciate the company, too.”

Nick had already been waffling about reenlisting when he’d arrived in Snowberry Creek looking for a home for Mooch, the dog their unit had adopted in Afghanistan. Soon afterward, he’d sent for Leif, hoping to use him as a buffer between himself and Callie. Yeah, like that had worked.

It had been obvious from the get-go that the man had been fighting some pretty strong feelings for her. Well, that battle had been waged and won. Now it would take a crowbar and dynamite to pry Nick out of Snowberry Creek.

Leif didn’t blame him. Nick had served his time and his country. God knows the man deserved a little happy in his life. Leif hoped his decision also meant that Nick had shed the shitload of guilt he’d been carrying ever since an IED had changed both of their lives forever.

“I’ll feed the mutt and keep the lawn mowed.” He started to take a step, but as soon as he shifted his weight, his bum leg almost gave out on him. It was definitely time to get back to the house and take one of his pills. Maybe two.

He ignored Nick’s look of concern and opened the door of the truck. As he climbed up, gritting his teeth against the pain, he cautioned his friend, “But all bets are off if Callie starts sending all of the cookies she bakes to you.”

Nick laughed. “I’ll make sure she holds a few back for you.”

“A few, my ass, Sarge. I’d better get my fair share, especially if you want me to talk you up to Callie’s parents when they get back. After all, you managed to get engaged to their daughter without them ever having met you.”

His friend swallowed hard. “It’s a deal.”

Leif laughed at the sick expression on Nick’s face. Her parents were coming back from their summer in the sun in another two weeks. They’d wanted to come sooner, but their departure had been delayed when her father threw his back out golfing. Now Nick would be gone before they returned.

Leif turned the key in the ignition, once again taking pleasure in the smooth rumble of the engine. “See you back at the house.”

And if he burned a little rubber driving out of the parking lot, who could blame him? A man was entitled to have a little fun with a new toy.

C
hapter 4

I
t was Zoe’s turn to man the clinic’s booth before the high school football game. Her boss, Dr. Tenberg, hoped to have someone at every home game to offer free blood pressure checks and answer questions about the medical services available in the area. She’d done a steady business since people had started arriving for the game.

As she replenished the stack of brochures, she noticed Gage Logan, the chief of police, hovering nearby. He sidled a bit closer to her table, all the while scanning the area as if watching for someone, or maybe for trouble. Finally, he headed straight for her.

“Hi, Zoe! Got time for one more?”

As he spoke, he kept his eyes on the surrounding crowd. What was going on? She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“Always, Gage. Have a seat and slip your arm out of your jacket sleeve.”

When he was settled in the chair, she put the cuff in place and started pumping the bulb. It didn’t take long to take his vitals and then record them on the small card that he’d pulled out of his wallet. Despite his obvious tension, his readings were good. “Not bad, Gage. One-twenty-five over seventy.”

His relief was obvious as he abruptly stood up and shoved his arm back into his jacket sleeve. “Great, Zoe. Thanks.”

“Is everything okay, Gage? You’re acting pretty jumpy.”

Now he looked guilty. “My daughter’s here, and I didn’t want her to see me getting my blood pressure checked. Sydney has turned into an awful nag lately. They’ve been studying health at school, and now she watches every bite I eat and crabs at me to exercise more.”

Okay, that was funny, although Zoe was careful not to let Gage see that she found the big, tough lawman’s predicament entertaining. Evidently her efforts were less than successful, judging by the rueful look he gave her.

“Yeah, it’s cute to hear her spouting all the facts and figures on cholesterol and the effects of job-related stress. But then this morning she lectured me on how dangerous it is for older men to become too sedentary. Hell, I’m only thirty-eight, but to hear her talk, I’m closer to a hundred.”

Zoe gave up on holding in her laughter. “Well, your blood pressure is great. I’d be glad to tell her that personally if you’d like.”

“It may come to that.” His smile faded. “Seriously, I don’t mind her nagging, but what if it’s because she’s afraid she’ll lose me like she did her mother? I don’t like the idea of her worrying so much. Well, I’d better get back. I promised I’d sit with her during the game.”

“The offer stands, Gage. Just let me know.”

As he disappeared back into the crowd, another familiar figure made his way toward Zoe’s table. Her smile tightened, although she felt guilty for feeling less welcoming toward this visitor. It wasn’t the man himself, but what he represented to her.

“Pastor Haliday. Have a seat.”

The minister held out his arm, watching her with those pale gray eyes that always saw too much. “How are you doing, Zoe?”

“Fine.”

She wrapped the cuff around the Army Ranger tattoo on his arm and pretended her terse answer was due to the need to concentrate on getting an accurate reading on his blood pressure. While that was true, it wasn’t the only reason. He’d been after her to get involved with his veterans’ support group for some time. She hadn’t been interested the first time he’d asked and she wasn’t interested now.

After jotting down his results, she handed him his card back. “There you go. Hope you enjoy the game.”

Before he could respond, the band struck up a spirited march, making it nearly impossible to carry on a conversation. However, the good pastor was nothing if not determined. He leaned in close enough to make himself heard.

“I was wondering if you’d be willing to do a presentation on the services available for veterans in our area.”

How could she refuse? Maybe by asking someone who already had all of that information at her fingertips. “I have a friend who works at the VA hospital who talks to veterans all the time about that sort of thing. I’ll give her a call and ask her to meet with your group.”

Pastor Haliday sighed, clearly disappointed. “That would be great, Zoe.”

“I’ll let you know what she says.”

She ignored the twinge of guilt over not reaching out to the group herself, but she couldn’t. Just couldn’t. She fought the urge to apologize, even though the sympathy in the former soldier’s eyes made it clear that he understood exactly what was going on in her head.

“If my friend can’t fit it into her schedule, I’ll ask her to send me all the information for you.”

She didn’t know how old Jack Haliday was for sure, but she guessed he was in his early fifties. There were times he looked much older, and tonight was one of them. “Most of our members are doing all right, but there are a few who need help whether they realize it or not.”

Could he be talking about her? She hoped not. There was a roar in the grandstands. “Sounds like the game’s started.”

Just that quickly, the minister’s demeanor changed. “Should be a good one.”

He wandered away, his attention now on the teenagers out on the field as they formed up for the next play. Zoe took several calming breaths and packed up her equipment. The chances of anyone else stopping by before halftime were pretty slim. For now, she would join the people ranged along the sidelines to watch the game.

The home team was already ahead by seven points and was moving steadily down the field again. It looked like tonight’s game would continue the great start to their season. Lately, there’d been quite a buzz about the mayor’s son, Colby, being an up-and-coming star. Only a sophomore, he’d made the varsity team as a wide receiver. Rumor had it that several colleges were already taking notice.

The quarterback sent the ball sailing high in the air right into heavy coverage, but Colby made an over-the-shoulder catch that had the crowd going crazy.

Two men standing somewhere behind her struck up a conversation. “That was a helluva catch.”

“Bet you ten bucks they go with the same play again.”

“That’s a sucker bet, Nick. He’s obviously the best player on the field, but the other team knows that. They’ll double-team him, which will open up room on the other side for the other receiver.”

Zoe glanced back over her shoulder to see who had spoken, because the second speaker sounded all too familiar. Leif spotted her at the same time.

“Zoe?”

Ignoring how her pulse kicked up a notch just hearing him say her name, she aimed for sounding casual. “Hi, Leif. Enjoying the game?”

“Yeah, so far.”

His friend gave Leif a questioning look and shifted to nudge him, shoulder to shoulder. Leif rolled his eyes but dutifully performed the necessary introductions. “Nick, this is Zoe Phillips, the nurse practitioner who will be overseeing my rehab here in Snowberry Creek. Zoe, this is Sergeant Nick Jenkins.”

She smiled and held out her hand. “We haven’t officially been introduced, Nick, but I’ve heard a lot about you from Callie. We didn’t get a chance to talk at the party the other night, so it’s nice to finally meet you.” She would’ve also recognized Nick as another soldier even without Leif mentioning his rank. It was there in his hypervigilant eyes and that stance that meant he was ready to spring into action if the situation warranted it.

“Same here. So, Zoe, you going to take good care of my boy here?”

“I plan to.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

He softened the short statement with a fleeting smile, making eye contact briefly before once again scanning the crowd. Leif was doing the same thing. She bet both of them were struggling with the press of the crowd, coupled with all the noise. A few seconds later, Callie appeared at Nick’s side.

“Hi, Zoe! Looks like half the town turned out for the game tonight.”

“Yeah, it’s nice they’ve been winning so many games. The mayor’s son is sure fun to watch.”

While they talked, Nick wrapped his arm around Callie’s shoulders. Maybe others wouldn’t have noticed, but it was clear to Zoe that Callie’s presence helped anchor him in the moment, immediately reducing his tension level. She also noticed that Leif was watching the small interaction with what looked like a touch of envy. She didn’t blame him. It was hard for anyone to readjust to life after living in a combat zone. Doing it alone was doubly hard.

She had firsthand experience with that herself. And it was time to get moving.

“It was nice seeing you all again. I’m going to wander down to the refreshment stand and grab a hot dog before the line gets too long.”

Leif stepped away from his friends. “I’ll come with you.”

She couldn’t refuse his company without coming across as churlish. “All right. Then I’ll have to get back to work. It’s my night to take blood pressures and hand out brochures about local medical care.”

Leif nodded but didn’t say anything. His attention was on maneuvering across the rough stretch of ground they were crossing. When they reached the paved area outside the gym, his speed picked up a bit. They got in line at the refreshment stand.

Leif looked around, his dark eyes probably not missing a thing. “I’m guessing high school football is a big deal around here.”

“It is. I would’ve come to the game even if I hadn’t had to be here for other reasons. A fair number of the kids on the team are patients of mine, as are their parents. I like to show my support when I can.”

He nodded. “It was the same where I grew up.”

They’d reached the front of the line. “How many hot dogs do you want, Zoe?”

“Just one, but I’ll get my own.”

Leif eyed the handwritten menu as he pulled out his wallet. “I’m ordering for Nick and Callie, too. One more won’t break me. Besides, I’ll need help carrying it all back to where Callie and Nick are waiting. Consider it payment for services rendered.”

Good point. Rather than stand there and squabble over a two-dollar hot dog, she gave in. “If you’re sure. I’d like a diet cola, too.”

On the way back, he balanced the cardboard tray with the hot dogs while she carried the drinks. His friends had staked out some seats on the second row in the bleachers. She delivered the drinks to Callie and waited to make sure Leif managed to reach his seat without mishap, while trying not to be obvious about it.

After he handed out the hot dogs, she thanked him again. Before she could walk away, the home team scored again. The percussion section of the marching band exploded in a loud, rumbling celebration. Both Nick and Leif ducked, almost sending their hot dogs flying. Luckily, Callie managed to save the drinks.

Leif let loose with a string of curse words, echoed by his friend. Zoe met Callie’s worried gaze and shrugged. Here in public neither man would appreciate the two women acknowledging what had just happened.

“Enjoy the game, guys. Callie, we’ll have to meet up at Bridey’s place again soon.”

Then she turned her attention to Leif. “Thanks again for the hot dog, and I’ll see you at the clinic tomorrow.”

Leif nodded, his expression totally blank, his emotions carefully banked. He couldn’t quite hide the slight tremble in his hands, though. “I’ll be there.”

Zoe made herself walk away. As much as she wanted to stay and help Leif deal with the crush of people and noise, she had other obligations tonight. That was her excuse, and she was sticking to it, but her heart hurt for him.