California Homecoming (20 page)

“What she wants to do or what she thinks she
should
do?”

“Isn’t that the same?”

Joe shook his head and took a sip of beer. “I know when Mary gets all wrapped up in what she should be doing, even if she doesn’t want to do it, my life goes to hell. Now,” he pointed his finger at Hunter, “I’m not talking about taking care of the kids or the house. No, it’s more like when someone asks her to be on a committee and she agrees. Mary hates committees.”

“Smart woman.”

“I always thought so.” Joe grinned. “So which is it — something she wants to do or something she thinks she should do?”

Hunter thought for a moment and then shook his head. “I don’t know. Yeah, she feels like she should get back with the father of her child, even if he is a pissant — ”

“That good?”

“You saw him. Reminds me of Marty, you know, the guy in seventh grade gym class?”

Joe laughed. “Yeah. Always trying to make himself more important than he was.”

“Like that. Still, them getting back together seems like the right thing. Two parents are better than one and all that.”

“Depends on the parents. You should know that.”

Hunter put the last tool away and turned to Joe. “What’s the work schedule like this week?”

Joe accepted his move to change the subject. ““Complete the Miller house tomorrow and then I’ve got something more to your liking most of the week — finishing cabinet work at one of the places up the hill. Why?”

“I got an appointment on Friday at the VA.”

“Not a problem. See your parents after that?”

“I suppose I should.” Hunter grinned at Joe ironically. “Even if I don’t want to. Some obligations you just don’t escape.”

“I hear that, bro.”

They clinked their cans, turned out the lights, and left the building.

• • •

Early Friday morning Hunter took the long way up to San Francisco. March was a good time to spot whales on their migration north.

He’d picked a good day for a drive up the coast. Spring breezes brought a chill to the air, but they also cleared the fog and mist. Broken monoliths of rock disappeared under thundering waves and the lighthouse at Pigeon Point glinted in the sun.

He stopped a while to watch the kiteboarders north of Waddell Creek and his excitement began to grow. Who knew what he’d be able to do with the new leg?

As he drove, music blaring, he let his mind drift over the past few years. There had been so many letdowns: the loss of his leg, finding out Lauren had been married, returning home to realize nothing had really changed between him and his parents.

Now he was hung up on a pregnant innkeeper who was trying to repair relations with her ex-boyfriend. The universe sure had a weird sense of humor.

Should he make another try for her? Was Rick out of the picture after that disastrous night?

Fate was a harsh mistress. Lauren had died without telling the truth to him. Rick had thrown out his girlfriend and was being given a second chance. Hunter had been prevented from suicide by a kid on a bike.

He glanced at the glove box. He really needed to get rid of that gun. Should he give it back to his father?

Not a chance.

A few hours later, he pulled into a parking place close to the Medical Center. He locked the Jeep and took a deep breath before he crossed the street. An hour later, he walked out with nothing.

They couldn’t help him.

Basic functions my ass. Whatever happened to quality of life?

He couldn’t see his parents in this frame of mind. He’d use the gun on his father and then turn it on himself.

He really needed to get rid of that thing.

Once over the Golden Gate, he headed off to the Marin Headlands. The raw land, remnants of bunkers, and vista of the Pacific stretching out forever would do for now.

He followed the winding way to the top, parked, and got to the highest point he could reach. The wind buffeted him, a hint of salt lingering from its long trip from the ocean’s surface. He sat down on the wind-mown grass and stared across the Pacific.

For a moment, he’d had hope that things might change.

When he was a kid, he believed God hid in the ocean, keeping an eye on all his creatures, cresting like a whale when He needed to check on the other critters.

Where are You now?

No booming voice replied, but Hunter continued to stare. Tight spots in the desert happened often. Everyone had their own way to pray and their own being to curse when the worst happened. The often repeated statement had been true — there were no atheists in foxholes.

What happened when a soldier returned? Hunter’s viewpoint was unexplainable to civilians, even if he wanted to make the attempt. His wartime buddies were scattered. Ghosts haunted his dreams and phantoms pretended they were limbs.

Who could he possibly share his life with? No one would understand.

Sarah.

Despite what the world threw at her, she picked herself up and kept going. He could learn a lot from her strength and give her someone to lean on when times got tough.

He scowled.

If only Rick would get out of the way.

Hunter’s head began to hurt. He wasn’t used to thinking this much.

As he stood he remembered the biker at Mt. Tam. She’d gotten her specialized leg at Cal Poly and said they’d already come up with something for amputees to ride the surf.

He grinned. He wasn’t out of the game yet.

Maybe God had answered him after all.

The visit with his mother was brief and his father wasn’t around to harass him. After a stilted conversation served with a cup of tea, Hunter made his good-byes and headed south. Traffic through the city was clogged, as always, and he spent the time waiting for lights noting which homes had gotten coats of paint since his last trip down Nineteenth Avenue.

The road finally spilled into Highway 280 and he cranked up the music, enjoying the open road as it wove through the foothills south of the city, hills that hid the mansions of the area’s elite.

An eye on the descending sun, he opted to stay on the highway and an hour later, he pulled into the gravel driveway of the inn. Only Sarah’s neglected Subaru wagon stood in the parking lot.

He pulled out the cartons of steaming Chinese he’d picked up in town. He’d brought enough for two, just in case. Time to make amends.

“Anyone home?” he called as he opened the door.

“Only me.” Sarah responded from the living room.

Hunter stuck his head around the corner and dangled the fragrant bags. “In the mood for Chinese?”

Daisy barked.

A broad smile creased her face. “How did you know? I’m starving!”

“Of course you are. You’re pregnant. I’ll dish it up and be right back.”

Daisy woofed again and he grinned. “No Chinese for you girl. But come into the kitchen and I’ll make sure you have food and water.”

“Do you think we should eat in here?” Sarah asked. “You could roll the chair into the kitchen. Too bad the dining room table hasn’t come yet.”

He knew she’d found the piece she wanted online and it was due to come in a few weeks.

Turning, he went back to the living room. “Where would you like to eat … since we don’t have a dining room table, madam?” His lips twitched into a grin.

“I think right here.” She gestured at a small television he hadn’t noticed before. “Mom sent Alicia instructions to get me a television.”

His grin broadened. “Find something to watch and I’ll be back.”

Setting up her tray only took a few minutes and by the time he’d come back, she’d found an old movie, chick flick from the looks of it. He placed her tray in her lap and then found a small stand from the stack Mandy had brought with her. Placing it in front of the couch, he set his own meal on it and sat down. From where he was he could see the curve of Sarah’s jaw, a line that was getting soft with pregnancy.

The change only made her more attractive.

“This is sooo good,” she said after finishing an eggroll. “I’m sure I’ll gain ten pounds, but I don’t care right now.”

He chuckled. The mood was so relaxed he was reluctant to bring up the question burning in his mind. Seeing her smile at one of the humorous moments in the movie he decided to wait and let himself drift into the simple story line.

“Ahh,” she sighed when the movie was over and he stood to take her tray. “If only life could be that simple.”

“If only we had scriptwriters who told other people what to do and say,” he countered.

She laughed. “You’ve got a point.”

He cleaned up the rest of the dishes and stacked the dishwasher. Sarah was leafing through a magazine when he returned.

Time to assess the damage.
“Have you heard from Rick over the last week?”

Sarah had been dreading the question, although she’d known Hunter would ask it sooner or later. “No.”

He leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to screw up your relationship.”

She shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. I should have thought before I hugged you, but I didn’t think he’d show up early. Still, it was the wrong thing to do.”

Hunter sat cross-legged on the floor next to the lounge. “It wasn’t wrong. I think he over-reacted.”

“What would you have done?”

The scowl on his face told her.

“See?” She fumbled for something to say next.

“What are you going to do now?” he asked.

She considered him, his sharp green eyes reminding her of how much he saw. He was always taking care of the small things around the inn, often without her asking. She forced herself to look away before her gaze to slipped to his lips and the memory of their touch on hers.

She jerked her gaze away again. “My mom sent me to a life coach.”

“What the hell is that?”

Sarah chuckled. “Someone who helps you sort through your thoughts, decide what you want, and put it into action.”

“You need someone to help you do that?” Hunter capped his hands on one knee and stretched his prosthetic under her chair.

She tried not to think about his proximity. “In my case, yes.”

“So what has this person helped you decide?”

Sarah shifted in her chair. All this sitting was making her damned uncomfortable. She hoped her at her next appointment the doctor would release her, at least a little more.

“It’s not a quick process,” she said. “Right now I’m trying to figure out what I want, without taking Rick, or … or anyone else into account.”
Damn.
She’d almost said his name.

Part of her waited for him to belittle her idea or the fact that she needed anything for herself. Instead there was silence.

“So I haven’t contacted Rick,” she continued. “If I hear from him I suppose I’ll have to do something, but until then … ” She shrugged.

“Good,” he said, pushing himself up to a standing position. “I won’t have to tiptoe around for a while.”

Guilt made her study the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t really think about what an imposition it would be for you to leave your home every few weeks.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Relax. It was my decision. Just let me know when I need to be gone again.”

She raised her head and saw the longing in his face. He didn’t want to be sent away, that was clear.

She shook her head. “I need to figure things out for myself first. If Rick can’t tolerate my roommates,” she shrugged, “he’ll need to get over it.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, electricity sizzling between them, kept in check by the gates of responsibility.

He patted her shoulder. “I’ve got some things to do. Need any more help tonight?”

“No. I’m off to bed soon myself. At least the doctor is still letting me do that by myself.”

When he took his hand from her back a chill took its place. She watched his back as he left the room, a new sense of loneliness invading her heart.

• • •

The weekend passed easily. In between daydreams about Hunter, Sarah continued to work on the coaching assignments. No matter how much she wanted to force him from her mind, he persisted in lodging there.

Not that she saw much of the actual man.

Probably just as well.

She began to open the mail that Mandy had dropped in her lap before she left for work. Amid the junk mail she found a travel brochure from a local travel agent.

Travel agent? Hadn’t the Internet destroyed them all?

Apparently not. This agency had morphed from providing airline tickets to helping clients plan extended trips and tours.

As she leafed through the brochure, Sarah’s excitement grew. This was her audience — people who came to the coast to get away from it all.

She flipped the glossy piece over and smiled when she saw the name and address. They were in Costanoa Village, not far from her mother’s shop. As soon as Elizabeth got back from France, she’d get her mother to provide an introduction.

If she was ever allowed to get out of bed again for any length of time. Good thing she had an appointment on Thursday. It was time to strong-arm the doctor.

Sarah needed to get on with her life!

She picked up the last piece of mail, a bulky cream-colored envelope. The block letters of her address looked familiar, but she couldn’t place the handwriting. She tore the envelope open and stared at the flowery script and elegant single rose. Hand trembling, she opened the card.

“I’ll send you a bouquet a day

Love won’t keep me away

Until you belong to me again.”

Love, Rick

A chill ran through her. This was the first she’d heard from him since he’d left in a huff. Now he sounded more like a stalker than a past lover.

Her phone rang and she dropped the note on the floor. “Hello.”

“Carol Eos here.”

“Oh.”

“We had our call scheduled for now. Do we need to reschedule? You sound upset. What’s up?”

Sarah told her about the card.

“Hmmm.”

Sarah stared at the card on the floor. Rick’s missive appeared to be a giant spider about to attack.