Four Weeks (17 page)

As she was saying goodbye to the vet, Louise caught a glimpse of Trent and the police chief. The two of them were talking in low tones, discussing the situation, no doubt. She clenched her jaw. He should have come and gotten her. She had as much to do with running the business as he did.

She marched off in the direction she'd seen them go, but nearly bumped into Pete and Gail when she turned the corner.

"Everyone in town is talking about this, what happened?” Gail asked, waving her arms toward the barn.

"You two okay?” Pete looked Louise up and down.

Louise didn't want to rehash the whole thing, but she couldn't very well just walk off. “We're fine,” she reassured Pete. “I've put some of the horses out back. They'll have to stay out there until we can get their stalls fixed."

Gail shook her head and pointed to the roof. “What happened?"

Louise followed the motion with her gaze then looked at Gail's stunned expression. “The roof fell in, but we don't know what caused it."

The other woman gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.

"We're okay,” Louise assured her, “The horses are okay. We'll need to do some cleaning up, and get the roof repaired, but we'll work it all out.” Even as she offered the assurance to Gail and Pete seeds of doubt settled deep within her.

Pete stepped forward. “How long you think we'll be closed up?"

The worry turned to panic. “Closed up?"

"Yeah, we gotta close up for awhile to get the repairs done, don't we?"

"I'm not sure.” They couldn't afford a single day of closure. Pete smiled, probably trying to encourage her. “Let me know so I can make a sign or something."

"What about me, Louise? Do you still want me to come in tomorrow morning?"

"Of course. The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be able to open up again."

Gail glanced at Pete then at Louise. “Okay, I'll be here ready to help."

"Thanks, Gail. See you in the morning.” She waved her off and turned to Pete who was leaning on the side of the barn. “We'll see you tomorrow, too."

He nodded. “Yep. Same as always."

After they left, Louise went to find Trent and the police chief, but this time with a lot less enthusiasm. Pete was right. They had to close the stables. They couldn't risk the safety of the customers with injured mounts and a hazardous mess. How long would it take to fix the barn? A week, maybe two?

Trent had all the incentive he needed to close Hawk's for good. Why go to the trouble of fixing the damage when he could cut his losses and close right away? Louise fought against the overwhelming despair that clutched her. Everything she'd been through, everything she'd worked for—all for nothing. The success and happiness she'd been so close to reaching had slipped out of reach. Again.

With a heavy heart she picked up her pace. She might not be around Hawk's much longer, but until she was let go she intended to do the job she was being paid for.

THE POLICE CHIEF shielded his eyes from the late afternoon sun and stared up at the roof. “You didn't have the place inspected when you got it?"

"I think Mr. Robbins, the realtor, might have an inspection on file."

"Did your father have it inspected?"

"Probably.” Anxious to get on with something helpful, Trent frowned. “I don't know."

The policeman turned. “You don't know? Don't you have any records?"

Trent needed to have another talk with Michael Robbins. The sooner the better. “Mind if I go make a phone call?"

"Sure, Mr. Parker. It'll be awhile before I finish up here. The deputy is coming to take some pictures. Keep everyone out of the barn and away from the area."

"I'll take care of it,” he muttered as he hurried to the phone.

NINE DAYS LATER Trent trudged across the back fence of the paddock. The workers had left a huge pile of debris in the far corner. It wasn't a safety hazard, only an eyesore. The trash removal guy had said he'd be by on Sunday, but that was three days ago.

He rested against the top rail and examined the newly repaired roof the insurance company had insisted he install right away. The brand new sheets of silver metal brightened up the building and made it look almost respectable.
Zigler will be thrilled
.

While he hadn't officially agreed to sell to Zigler instead of Klinger, he knew that as soon as Zigler put the employment clause in writing, he'd be ready to sign. For Trent, the past ten days had been a series of one disappointment after another. He'd looked into the inspection records, sure that those would reveal something more, but Michael Robbins produced them quickly enough and they didn't indicate anything other than the barn was run down and needed a new roof. Not exactly mind-blowing stuff.

The police chief, and everyone else, concluded that the roof falling in was another ill-timed event. Just one of those things that happens when an old building succumbs to the effects of the harsh northern winters. Bad luck, like the fire.

Whatever was going on at the stable, it was more than he could handle. Three weeks ago he'd been convinced the stable held some answer for him, some insight about his father. The childishness of hoping that a heap of wood and metal could fill in the painful gaps left by years of being ignored had become painfully obvious.

He'd been wasting his time believing that learning anything about his father mattered. The man never wanted anything to do with him, so why should he care?

And Louise? She'd been a disappointment, too. After the roof fell in, he'd hardly said two words to her. For days they'd worked side-by-side cleaning up the mess and caring for the horses, but she let him know in no uncertain terms that her only interest in Hawk's was business.

He'd convinced himself that he was happy to oblige.

He was a man of his word if nothing else, so once he was sure Lousie, Gail and Pete would be able to keep on working, even past the four week trial period, he'd leave all the ghosts and questions behind, on the tiny isolated island where they belonged. Dwelling on what might've been did nothing but prolong his grief, and he'd had enough of sorrow and confusion.

A brown horse nudged his shoulder. Thanks to Louise, he knew it was looking for a treat.

"Sorry girl.” He scratched her cheek and gazed into her huge brown eyes. “I don't have anything for you.” The one surprise of the whole thing was that he enjoyed the horses. He'd miss being around them.

That day Louise had taken him riding seemed so long ago, it could have been a different lifetime. In a way it was. It was back before he still hadn't completely learned to keep his feelings hidden deep, where they couldn't be cracked. He should've learned that lesson from his father, but it took Louise to teach him in such a way that he'd never forget it.

He gave the mare a pat and pushed away from the fence. There was no point in sticking around Hawk's today. Then he'd ask Louise out to dinner one last time to explain how things were going to be. In a matter of days, the whole sorry episode would be over for him.

THURSDAY MORNING LOUISE waved off a cluster of teenagers. The shouts and laughter of the girls cheered her up a little. The island was gearing up for a big weekend, the Lilac Festival. The next few days would be busy ones, with special activities in front of the fort and all around the island. The parade through town on Sunday would be the grand finale.

It was the first day they'd been open since the roof accident. She was glad to be busy helping people mount up, instead of hauling trash or digging through rubble for bridles and other things they wanted to keep out of the hands of the trash hauler.

The last ugly reminder, that awful pile of boards, still sat out back. She could call the trash man again, and beg him to come take the mess away, but what would be the point? She'd probably get his phone machine like she had the other three times she'd tried to call him. She thought about giving Pete a hard time—after all he'd recommended the man—but in the end it didn't matter. She probably wouldn't have to worry about Hawk's in a few days anyway. That pile of rubble would be someone else's problem.

Most of the time she hung onto the hopelessly slim chance that Trent had changed his mind about selling the stable. At least he hadn't closed it right away. That had to mean something. The repaired roof was a good sign. Louise could only guess that Trent was planning to get rid of Hawk's because he hadn't said anything about keeping the place.

He'd been avoiding her. She wished she could stop thinking of him. But she couldn't.

When the young riders trotted out of view, Louise turned from the road to look around the yard. Everything in sight reminded her of Trent. Even the bend of the trees.

Regardless of how much she tried to deny it, they'd shared something special.

It wasn't enough though. There was too much between them. The barn, the problems, his attitude, and her dreams. He was her boss. It all added up to a big fat zero. Louise knew that a romance between them was never meant to be. No matter how hard she wished otherwise.

She turned to go check on the one horse they still had out back and ran smack into the man she'd been trying so hard to forget. Frustration welled up in her when her body reacted to his closeness as though it didn't know that her head was trying to pretend he didn't exist.

He didn't move. “I was coming to find you."

She tried to pull away, but he reached out and took her arms and said, “We need to talk for a few minutes."

When she found herself noticing that the bright gold flecks in his eyes shone in the sunlight, she tried to pull away again. “Can you let go of me?"

"I like it this way. I can be sure I have your attention."

"You always have my attention Trent,” she said revealing much more than she meant to.

He smiled and Louise's legs sagged.

"Do I?"

Too worn out to pretend nothing had ever happened between them, she simply stared at him. “Are we back to games?"

The smile dropped a touch. “No games."

"Okay.” She fought for the business tone that always held him back. “What did you want to talk about?"

This time it didn't work. “Have dinner with me tomorrow night."

Somehow he always made her forget her resolve. She couldn't hold back her pleasure. Weary of denying her true feelings, she smiled and angled her head toward the barn. “Last time we ate dinner together the roof fell in."

He chuckled at her teasing. “That's why we have to go out."

Her arms warmed where his hands covered them. Trying to keep hold of herself, Louise looked over his shoulder. Keeping her gaze focused on his face would only reminded her of what could never be. Any possibility that they'd ever become more than friends was gone. She should be glad for that. How many times had she scolded herself for daydreaming about Trent and wasting time on fantasies of happily ever after?

He squeezed her arms. “Please, Louise. You're the only thing I've found on this island that makes any sense."

She glanced at him, and found she couldn't turn away from the vulnerability in his eyes. “I didn't know you were looking for something."

His jaw tightened. “I'm not. Not anymore anyway."

"What is it Trent? Something to do with your father?"

"Forget about that.” It was his turn to glance away. “Have dinner with me."

With him standing so close, it was impossible to think of a good reason to say no. She could tell he needed the comfort of another person, like she had after the fire. He couldn't be the man she wanted, but for one night she could be the friend he needed.

Like the day he'd asked her to go to The Majestic, he took her silence for agreement. “I'll pick you up at Sally's around seven. Casual dress, we'll go someplace that has tables outside by the dock."

Her arms felt bare after he let go. The desperate expression on his face stayed with her even after he rounded the corner. But still, just like that first day, she couldn't help wondering what it was that was tormenting him. Obviously, it had everything to do with his father, but what? What was he trying so hard to forget?

Because he wasn't ready to face whatever it was she'd never be the one to help him find those answers, but she'd given up denying the deep feeling she had for him. It was pointless to think she could turn away from him when he needed her. But she would only go so far. She could deal with a wounded heart, but a shattered one might never mend.

The gentle clip clop of horse hooves came from the other sound of the barn. The wind carried the laughter and shouts of the returning riders. Thankful to have something to keep her busy, Louise pasted on a smile and hurried to help them.

"YOU LOOK NICE, dear. You and Trent having dinner?"

Sally said from her chair where she sat talking with a couple who'd just arrived that afternoon.

"Would you like to join us while you wait for him? The Rousseaux's are here for the festival. I'm sure their daughter would love to hear about the stable."

"Please bring her over tomorrow and I'll be glad to show her around,” Louise said to the couple and then she turned to Sally. “Thanks, but I think I'll wait outside and enjoy the evening."

"Have a nice time, dear,” Sally called.

Louise bid them all good night.

The evening was very warm and the sun still hung high in the sky. Louise loved the longer days of summer and even though her situation was bleak she strolled down Sally's path with a light step.

Her time on the island had taught her a few things. One of them was that there was no point in looking for trouble. Trouble had a way of finding you. Now she understood that it's
how
you react to conflicts that counted—not so much how things
turn out
. In the past she'd always run from difficult situations, but not this time. She'd stuck around and battled her way through.

The past four weeks had been the most challenging and the most rewarding of her life. She'd never regret her days at Hawk's.

Louise stopped short at the end of Sally's walk when she spotted her handsome boss leaning on the gate. “You're early,” she said, wishing she weren't so glad to see him.