Fated Hearts (14 page)

“Wow. That’s … impressive.”

Henley laughed. “I’ve never seen you speechless.”

“Have you read them all?”

She nodded. “A couple more than once. When you left the cabin the morning after the break-in, I did an inventory to make sure they were all there.” She caught the lift of his eyebrow. She’d seen Maggie strike the same facial pose. They were more family than not. “I know, I know. No one broke into the cabin to steal a paperback book. But I still checked.”

“It bothers me that I still don’t know who did or why. And I don’t want to upset you, but the vandalism to your car must be related. That’s the reason I suggested you move into town.”

She shifted and turned her back against the arm of the chair. His hand fell out of her hair and settled on the small of her back. It occurred to her she was still in his lap. She struggled to keep her voice casual. Her instinct was to get away; it wasn’t the right instinct. She knew that. Even if she weren’t a doctor, she would know that. “Maybe it’s a woman. She’s had her eyes on the hunky, single sheriff and sees me as a threat.”

His smile made her roll her eyes. “Oh, that’s a fantastic theory. I’m hunky. You’re a threat. The Betty Barneses of Trappers’ Cove are out to get you for sure.”

“Go ahead and mock. It’s possible. But not Betty,” she equivocated as his grin grew. “She’s happily married from what I can see. But there are single women our age in the vicinity. And what else could I have possibly done to upset a local that badly? I hadn’t been here enough time to inspire ire when this began.”

His smile faded.

“See? You’re considering it now,” she said. “And you’re bound to like the jealous femme fatale better than my other theory.”

“Which is?” She tried to stand, but he held on. “Come on, tell me. What other nefarious schemes has your unimaginative mind imagined?”

“Carter, there’s a limit to how much ridicule I’ll take without getting annoyed.”

“Could’ve fooled me; I thought your parents trained you to accept ridicule as your due.”

“Not fair!” She shoved up out of his lap. She’d blown right past annoyed and surged into anger. Her hair billowed around her shoulders, and she swore as she fought to pull it into a tail. The repetitive action calmed her, so when she turned to where he remained lounging in his chair, she was composed. She felt stiff, but composed. “Professionally, I can tell you that throwing confidences in someone’s face is an ineffective method of encouraging honesty and building trust. Personally, I can tell you that you’re a jackass, and I’m leaving.”

“That’s one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen. You went from seductress to aggressor to schoolmarm in a space of moments. Moments, Doc. Jesus, you make me hot.” She held herself rigid as he stood. The small space meant they were toe to toe.
I should be afraid.
His height should’ve been intimidating, but it wasn’t. He wasn’t. “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. Stop giving it to them. Stand up for yourself like you did just now. Got it?”

“You were goading me?”

“Sure was. You have an idea, a thought, whatever, don’t second-guess yourself because you’re anticipating another person’s response. I’m not your parents, your sister, or any damn other person you’ve had in your life.” He ran his hand over her head, grabbed the rubber band she’d tied her hair with, and pulled. Her hair fell around her shoulders. “I like you the way you are.”

“You disarm me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. What was your other theory?”

“Aidan Gael.” Carter looked unbelieving. She could’ve touched him to find out but didn’t. “The cabin wasn’t damaged. Only my tires destroyed. He’s made it clear he doesn’t want me here. It’s one of the reasons I’m considering moving out of the cabin. Not only that I wouldn’t be alone out in the woods but also that he’d have less reason to dislike me if I’m not on his property.”

“I’ll agree that on its face it’s a solid argument, but you’re wrong. You don’t know Aidan like I do. He wouldn’t have done those things. He wouldn’t terrorize a woman, any woman. I promise you.”

“You’re not mad I insulted a man you consider both friend and family?”

“No, I’m not. And if it were Aidan, he’d be arrested and charged same as anyone else. That’s my job, but it’s also who I am.”

“It’s the rare man who can quote Eleanor Roosevelt.”

“Who quoted Eleanor Roosevelt? I got that line from watching
The
Princess Diaries
with my niece.” He smiled, and she felt the last bit of tension melt from her shoulders. “I think that makes it a night. How about you, Doc?”

“Go out on a high note?”

“That was my thought.” Together they packed up their trash and walked to the house side by side. He whistled, and Dublin came running from where he’d curled up to nap under a tree. The friendly dog bumped into her leg, and she dropped a sausage from her leftovers.

“Saw that.” Carter smiled.

“Saw what?” Henley lifted a shoulder, dropped it, and winked.

In the days following her date with Carter—it was a date, albeit a casual one—she’d obsessed over attending her sister’s wedding uninvited. Carter’s opinion rang true. She’d regret not being there; Michelle may come to regret it. Eventually. He’d also called it when he’d suggested the blame for her absence would fall on her shoulders. She was almost forty years old—when would she stop craving her parents’ approval? It was time to show them who she was and that she liked herself.

She talked herself out of it twice. She pictured the dismay, the embarrassment, and disappointment that would be levied against her. By lunchtime Friday, with the wedding only one week away, she had arranged for a room at the hotel managed by her former secretary. Thankfully, Rissa was charging her the special rate reserved for the staff’s visiting family. It was a warm conversation that had taken Henley by surprise; she’d assumed Rissa wouldn’t be happy to hear from her. Henley had spent the remainder of the afternoon researching economy flights online on the office computer; even the least expensive was beyond her budget. But the airline’s website kept flashing a banner advertising their credit options. With a few clicks, she had a round-trip plane ticket to Cleveland and a credit card she was sure she didn’t want. But she had made a decision, and she was following through, despite any ongoing internal debate.

When her shift ended, she called Carter, told him she’d take the apartment, and requested a few days’ leave over the following weekend.

“To move?”

“I have a family wedding I don’t want to miss.”

“Good for you, Doc.”

She spent the week working during the day and setting up her new apartment in the evenings. The apartment was nicer than she had hoped. Hardwood floors throughout, and the living area was large, opening into a galley kitchen. With the series of windows looking out over Main Street, she had plenty of natural light. The large island designating the beginning of the kitchen would act as her dining-room table. The bedroom was a decent size with a large closet; the bathroom boasted a vintage sink and deep, claw-foot tub. Most of the rooms had required a fresh coat of paint. The furniture was functional, as advertised, but in nice shape. It would do for the time being. She had enjoyed choosing the color palette and painting the walls. She was putting her mark on the space, until she could afford new furniture and decor. She kept herself too busy to talk herself out of crashing her sister’s wedding.

All too soon the week ended. She got her things moved over from the cabin Friday morning, then packed her overnight bag, and cracked all the windows to allow the paint fumes to dissipate while she was away. She chewed on her lip the entire drive to Duluth International. She spent a solid twenty minutes sitting behind the wheel in short-term parking, half ready to drive back to Trappers’ Cove. She hadn’t told anyone she was coming. No one expected her. She wouldn’t be missed. On the contrary, she had an idea what reaction her unannounced, uninvited presence would invoke. Then she imagined what Carter would say about her waffling. With more bravado than she felt, she grabbed her bag and ran for the terminal shuttle. She felt someone jump on behind her as the doors closed.

“For a long minute there, I thought you were going to chicken out.”

Carter stood at her shoulder. She took in the well-worn jeans he’d paired with a leather jacket, under which he wore, ironically, a Henley. She glanced at his feet, and he shuffled his Converses next to the rolling suitcase at his side. She could smell the fresh, crisp, clean scent of his cologne. He was definitely sensate, not that she was prone to acts of fantasy.

“Say something, Doc. This is weird.”

“Where are you going?”

“Philadelphia. As a friend pointed out, I need to see my family, and they need to see me.” He smiled. “By way of Cleveland, if you don’t mind.”

“Pardon me?”

“It occurred to me that your trip is a radical move—for you and for your family. You’re expecting it to be unpleasant, and based on what I know of them, you’re probably right, but you’re going. As your friend and the person who convinced you to go in the first place, it is my obligation to see to it that you don’t have to face them alone.”

“That’s not necessary.” She appreciated it, though. His thoughtfulness demonstrated what had been missing from her life even before she’d taken to the road. It hadn’t occurred to her family, the only people she had, admittedly by her own design, to stand with her. Carter thought to offer that support. She guessed Maggie would too. She was right—they’d enrich her life if she’d let them.

“I know; I wasn’t done. Your situation got me thinking about my own. You are right; it’s time for me to visit. My family is incredible, but I don’t want to face them. Not alone. They’re going to be happy to see me, but they’re also going to evaluate me, physically, emotionally. I was a mess when I left. They’ll be assessing me the whole time, looking for cracks to mend. And meddling. They love meddling. So could we return to the Cove via Philly?”

“You want me to go with you? To meet your family?”

“Damn, try not to label it, okay?” He winced. “Way to give a commitment-phobe an anxiety attack. This is not a meet-the-parents kind of thing. Consider it an added benefit to our quid pro quo agreement.”

She smiled, big and bright; his discomfort was genuine but only to a degree. He was teasing her, and she knew it. She could see it in his eyes. Touch wasn’t necessary with Carter. But she cupped his hand in hers—his uneasy amusement soothed her. His mild anxiety filled the cracks her nerves had created in her composure. It was rare for her to be in a position to offer comfort in return, so it was an empowering moment.

“Thank you, Carter.”

• • •

Henley navigated the rental car through the streets of downtown Cleveland. She had anticipated a sense of homecoming, but it eluded her. And the lack didn’t bother her. Carter had been playing with the dial on the radio.

“It’s not what I expected.”

“What? The city? What did you expect?” Henley asked, slowing to a stop at the red light.

“I’m not sure. Not this.” He pointed at a large building with modern architecture. It resembled a bowl turned on its side. Henley laughed.

“That’s not my favorite building.” The light turned, and she accelerated. “What hotel are you registered at?”

“I’m not.” She glanced to her right, and he smiled brightly.

“You booked a flight but not a hotel room?”

“I wasn’t sure how you were going to respond to my offer. Figured if you were against it, I’d go straight to Philly, and if you were agreeable to having company, I’d shack up at the HoJo.”

“The HoJo?”

“Short for Howard Johnson.”

“I know what HoJo means, Carter. Jeez.” She hit the turn signal and executed the right that would lead to the hotel on Public Square. “I’m staying at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. An old friend is on the management team. Maybe she can work her magic and find you a room. If not, mine probably has two beds.”

Henley worked her lip as the hotel neared. As the implications of sharing a hotel room sank in, she wished she hadn’t said it. Rissa had already gone out of her way, securing Henley a room at a special rate. And there was always the possibility she wasn’t working today. Henley couldn’t revoke the invitation if accommodations couldn’t be made; he’d come all this way for her. Yeah, he’d slept at the cabin that night. But sharing a hotel room with Carter felt more intimate, terrifyingly intimate.
Damn my big mouth!

Henley needn’t have worried. Rissa must have been waiting for her, watching the door, because she sped across the lobby before the doors had closed. She held Henley by the upper arms, careful not to touch her skin, even in an embrace. For years, Henley would have and did appreciate the concessions Rissa made in their odd relationship—more than professional and less than personal—but she suddenly felt sad that she had but one friend outside the few she’d made the last couple months in Trappers’ Cove and that one friend wouldn’t hug her. She knew it was a situation of her own making. And that only she could make the effort to change it.

She wrapped her arms around Rissa in a hug. The other woman gasped and hesitated briefly before returning the embrace with enthusiasm. Henley caught Rissa’s quiet sniffle.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you, Dr. Elliott. It’s been years. When you called I just about fell out of my chair.” She stepped back, and Henley quashed the urge to squirm under the blonde’s perusal. “You look good. Better.”

“Thank you, Rissa. You look wonderful. And please call me Henley.” She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. She hadn’t realized she missed the affectionate, funny woman. “It’s good to see you.”

Rissa turned to Carter. “And who is this? If you’d mentioned a companion, I’d have given you a room with a larger bed.”

Carter extended his hand and introduced himself, explaining that he needed a room of his own. Henley appreciated his taking control of the conversation. Rissa tended to overwhelm Henley with her big, bright personality—she always had, even though she was kind, smart, and efficient.