Harmony Cabins (23 page)

“I'm not the only reporter at the paper.” Darius crossed his arms. “Opal Gutierrez interviewed you when you announced your petition. She'd love to get her hands on this story.”

“Tell her you want to cover it.” Simon shrugged.

Darius dragged a hand over his close-cropped hair. “That's sure to make her suspicious. And I'm not going to hide Noah for you. It's time you acknowledged him.”

Ethel stuck her finger in Simon's face. “I'm through with your bullshit. I'm through with being humiliated by you because you can't keep your dick in your pants. I told you before that if you run for mayor, I'm leaving you. Well, that's just what I'm going to do now.”

His mother spun and raced up the stairs. Simon stood and watched her. “Ethel!”

Darius gestured toward the staircase. “Aren't you going after her?”

Simon shrugged. “Your mother's too damn emotional. Give her time to cool off. She's not going anywhere.”

June adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Frankly, Simon, I can't believe she's stayed with you as long as she has. You're a piece of work.”

Simon reared his head in surprise. “What does that mean?”

“It means you're a pig.” June sighed. “I knew you were never going to be part of Noah's life. You made that extremely clear. The only reason we're here is that he was curious about you.”

“He's grown up well. He looks just like me.” Simon's gaze was fixated on Noah.

“Any resemblance is only skin deep. Noah's a good and decent person.” She crossed the room and got right in Simon's face. “If one harsh word about my son shows up in any paper, TV, or radio in connection with you running for mayor, I will come back to Trinity Falls and peel the skin off your ass like an orange.”

Darius didn't doubt June's threat. Apparently, neither did Simon.

After a moment's consideration, his father nodded. “All right. I'll withdraw my petition.”

“Good.” June turned to Noah. “Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

Noah pulled his gaze from Simon. “Yes, ma'am.”

“Take us home, Darius.” June started toward the front door as though she expected Darius and Noah to follow her.

“Wait.” Simon looked Noah up and down. “You must be about seventeen now.”

“Yes, sir.” Noah stood awkwardly in front of the father he'd met for the first time in his life just minutes ago.

Darius moved to stand beside his younger brother.

Simon spared his oldest son a glance before returning his attention to Noah. “What college are you going to?”

“I haven't decided yet.” Noah's shrug was a Knight mannerism. “I'm looking at a couple. I was thinking about Trinity Falls University.”

Simon brushed that suggestion aside. “No, no. That's not good enough for a Knight.”

June walked back to the group, putting a hand on her son's shoulder. “He's a Cale.”

Darius arched an eyebrow. “A little late for paternal instincts, isn't it?”

He escorted June and Noah out of his parents' house and back into his car.

Noah settled onto the middle of the backseat. “I didn't think he was that bad.”

Darius watched his brother from the rearview mirror. “You didn't grow up with him.”

June buckled her seat belt. “How did you grow up in that house?”

“I didn't.” He'd grown up in Ean and Quincy's homes.

“I used to envy you, growing up with both parents.” Noah's voice was pensive. “But I think I was the lucky one.”

Darius smiled without humor. “Yeah, you were.”

June looked away, wiping a hand across her eyes. “Do you think he's telling the truth? Will he give up his petition?”

“I think so.” Darius pulled away from the curb.

But had Simon's decision come too late to save his marriage? It seemed Darius had spent his whole life dreading, and yet expecting, his parents to divorce. Had it finally come to that? Only time would tell.

One thing he'd learn from this experience is that there are some stories the media should leave alone. His half brother was one of them. Dr. Peyton Harris's private life was another. He owed the professor an apology.

 

 

Nessa Linden wasn't happy to see Simon Saturday morning. He entered the councilwoman's home, anyway.

She locked the door before confronting him. “It's not a good idea for you to be here. I can't be seen endorsing your campaign.”

“I'm not going to run for mayor.”

“Because of your sons?”

Simon gave her a sharp look. “How did you know about that?”

She walked past him into her living room. “I underestimated Darius. I didn't think he'd have the balls to bring his brother into the equation.”

“Everything's fallen apart.” Simon chewed his inner cheek. “Ethel left me last night. I don't know where she is. I called Darius this morning and he blames me.”

How had his life gone so wrong? Why did his son hate him? Where was his wife?

“You're right. You're no longer a viable candidate for mayor—if you ever were. And the sesquicentennial is only a week away.” Nessa settled onto her black leather sofa. The full skirt of her cream sundress spread around her. “I'll have to think of something else.”

“For what?” Simon paced her living room.

“For what I have in mind for Trinity Falls.” She smoothed her cap of dark brown hair.

Simon stilled. “What are you planning to do?”

Nessa crossed her legs. “That no longer concerns you.”

Simon chuckled without humor. He tucked his hands into his front pants pockets and rocked forward on his toes. “If you're planning to do something to hurt the town, you'd better hope Ramona, Doreen, and Megan don't hear about it.” Or Darius, for that matter.

Nessa's dark brown eyes were cold. “How would they learn of it? We're the only ones who know I have a plan, and neither of us would say anything, would we?”

He heard the threat in her voice. Simon wasn't impressed. Nessa had a long way to go to match Ramona for intimidation.

“I'm no longer your concern, Nessa. I'll show myself out.”

Simon needed a way to get back into his family's good graces. Taking his suspicions about Nessa to Darius would be a good start. But could he risk it? What would Nessa do if he told others she'd been the one behind his mayoral bid?

CHAPTER 23

Late Saturday morning, the sound of hammering led Audra to Jack. He stood on the grass as he repaired the railing of another empty rental cabin's porch. His long, leanly muscled legs extended from a baggy pair of army green shorts. The muscles in his back and shoulders flexed and relaxed under his sweat-soaked gray T-shirt. She was certain he heard her footsteps on the graveled path as she closed the distance between them. But he never turned, never looked up. Audra felt a chill of unease.

“Good morning.” She raised her voice to be heard over his carpentry.

Jack spared her a glance over his shoulder before selecting another nail. “Morning.”

Her brows knitted in a frown. Had she done something wrong?

Jack had stacked boards of cut maple wood beside his feet. His toolbox and a pile of nails were both within easy reach on the porch, but he hadn't brought any water.
Silly man.
The air was still and hot. The early August day was far too humid for him to be doing strenuous work without water.

Audra took one of her two bottles of water from her oversized canvas tote bag. She placed the still-cold bottle beside his toolbox, then stepped back. “Did you get my messages yesterday?” She'd left two—perhaps three—on his cell phone.

“Yes.” Jack's attention shifted to the water bottle, then returned to his repairs.

“I stopped by your cabin yesterday, but you must have been out.” The hammering was starting to strain her nerves. “I was hoping we could spend some time together before I leave next Saturday night.”

Why was he still hammering? Why wouldn't he look at her while she spoke?

“Been busy.”

A pain pierced her heart like a blade. He'd reverted to the stingy speech he'd used when they first met. “Are you too busy even for our morning run?”

Jack didn't respond.

Audra checked the time. It was just after ten o'clock in the morning. Vaughn Brooks and the Trinity Falls University concert band expected her at two o'clock for practice. She'd hoped to have lunch with Jack first.

She tried again. “Have I done something to offend you?”

His lengthy pause made her think he was going to ignore her again. “No, you haven't.”

Audra sighed. “I prefer the unkempt mountain man. He may have looked scary, but at least he was honest. If I haven't upset you, why are you avoiding me?”

“I've been busy.”

“Bullshit.” The word whipped out as she lost her patience. Audra had the satisfaction of seeing Jack's back stiffen. “You're still jogging in the mornings, aren't you? You're still eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've always joined you before. Why can't I now? Your schedule hasn't suddenly become so busy that you'd need to change our routine.”

Jack spun to face her. “Change our routine? We don't have a routine. You're on vacation. Next Saturday, you're leaving.”

Audra's heart raced as she stared into his onyx eyes. “I'm not looking forward to my leaving any more than you are. But I'm here now. Why don't you want to spend time with me?”

“Can't you understand I'm busy?” Jack's words were hard and harsh. He dragged a hand over his hair. “I'm not the one on vacation. I don't have time to entertain you any longer.”

Audra took a shaky step back, then another. “I'm sorry. I hadn't realized I was monopolizing your time. I thought we were enjoying each other's company.”

Jack steeled himself for the flash of pain that swept in and out of Audra's gaze. “And now the party's over. You can get ready to go home.”

“Suppose I want to stay in Trinity Falls, specifically Harmony Cabins, a little longer?” Audra's voice was soft and gentle, like a tentative caress across his mind.

“What are you saying?” Jack was caught between needing Audra to leave now to get the pain over with and wanting to delay the inevitable.

“Make it easier on yourself, dude. Just rip off the bandage,”
Wendell had advised.

“I'm saying I don't have a pressing reason to return to Los Angeles Saturday night. I could stay an extra week or so.” Her champagne eyes sparkled with hope.

Jack heard Wendell's taunt in his ears:
“Your ex-wife even left Trinity Falls, and she's from here. Audra's from L.A. What chance do you have of her staying?”

He hardened his heart. “What's the point? You'll leave sooner or later.”

The light drained from Audra's eyes. “Why are you saying these things?”

“It's the truth.” His muscles screamed with tension. When would this conversation end?

“You're acting as though you don't want me here.”

In fact, he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd want her besides Trinity Falls, Harmony Cabins, and his arms. “And you're acting as though you really think you can stay.”

Audra frowned. “Why wouldn't I be able to?”

Jack took a deep breath to ease the pain in his chest. “You don't belong here. You belong in L.A.—with all the other Grammy winners.”

Audra's caramel skin darkened with a blush. “Did Wendell tell you about the Grammy? Is that why you're so upset, because I didn't tell you myself?”

“I already knew about your Grammy. I read the papers.”

Audra gaped. “Why didn't you say anything?”

“Why didn't you?”

Audra expelled a breath. Her shoulders rose and fell with it. “What was I supposed to do? Introduce myself as a Grammy-winning songwriter? That would have been a little pretentious, don't you think? And what about you?”

Jack arched an eyebrow. “What about me?”

“You didn't introduce yourself in any detail, either. You let me think you were the desk clerk. Your friends were the ones who told me you were the rental cabins' owner and a descendent of the town's founder.”

She had a point. Jack inclined his head. “We were both at fault. The bottom line is, it's time for you to leave.”

Audra's expression was a study in mutiny. “Why?”

He returned to repairing his porch railing. “You always knew this thing between us wouldn't last.”

After a beat, Jack heard Audra move away. It sounded like she was running. He squeezed his fists to keep the pain at bay. He had to stay where he was. He couldn't—wouldn't—run after her. Whether she left next Saturday night or stayed a week or two longer, sooner or later she would leave. For once, Jack didn't want to be the one left behind. The problem was, it hurt the same, whether he was the one who did the leaving or the one who was left.

Her door was closed this time. Darius stopped in front of Peyton Harris's office Saturday morning. He glanced at the peace offering he'd brought—a dozen long-stemmed yellow roses wrapped in green tissue paper—then knocked twice on her door.
There was no need to be nervous. So why are my palms sweating?

Darius leaned closer to the door, listening for movement on the other side. Muffled footsteps sounded. Darius straightened, stepping back. He was transported to the night he'd picked up his high-school prom date. The door opened cautiously.

“How did you know I'd be here?” Peyton stood framed in the threshold as though using her small body to bar his entrance. She'd dressed in a white T-shirt and navy blue walking shorts.

“One of your neighbors at your apartment complex told me.” Darius cradled the bouquet in his arms. Had she even noticed it? “May I come in?”

Peyton frowned. “Who? I didn't tell anyone where I was going.”

Darius shrugged. “She said she saw you loading boxes into your car. She thought that meant you were going to work.”

Peyton's smoky gray eyes darkened with what looked like fear. “Why would she tell you where to find me?”

“Because I asked her.” Darius frowned. Why was she so concerned? She still hadn't noticed the roses he held. Nor had she invited him in. “Perhaps we could have this conversation in your office.”

Peyton stepped aside, then closed the door behind him. “Are people in Trinity Falls in the habit of telling perfect strangers where to find their neighbors?”

Darius cocked his head. What was causing the tension in her voice? “First, calm down—”

“Don't tell me to calm down.”

“Second, I'm not a stranger. I grew up in Trinity Falls. I went to school with some of your neighbors.”

Peyton leaned against her office door. “Suppose I didn't want you to know where I was. Would they tell you, anyway, just because they know you?”

“Obviously, they don't see me as a threat.” He hesitated. “Do you?”

Peyton pinched the bridge of her small nose. “That's not the point.”

“Then what is the point?” When Peyton didn't answer, Darius continued. “It's a small town, Professor. But take heart, nosy neighbors are the best crime deterrent on the market.”

“I hope you're right.” Her eyes challenged him. “I'm not giving you an interview.”

“I'm not here for that.” Darius desperately wanted to ask the professor what it was she feared, but he'd promised himself he wouldn't pry into her life. It was only fair, since he'd recently realized he didn't want anyone digging into his.

Peyton crossed her arms and angled her chin. “Then why are you here?”

Darius stepped forward to offer her the bouquet. “These are for you.”

Peyton finally looked at the long-stemmed roses. She accepted them with caution. “Why?”

“Consider it a peace offering.” Darius wondered at her reticence to his gift. “We got off on the wrong foot.”

Peyton's smoky eyes were suspicious. “Are you trying to bribe me? Sheriff Lopez said he'd spoken with you.”

“The roses aren't a bribe. I promise not to write any articles about you without your permission.”

Peyton studied him in silence as though she could read his thoughts. Could she? “How do I know I can trust you?”

That hurt. “If I'd wanted to write an article about you without your permission, it would've appeared in the paper already.”

“That's good to know.” Peyton opened her office door, an obvious but silent invitation for him to leave. “Thank you for the roses.”

Darius crossed to her. “I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable. That wasn't my intent.”

Peyton returned his gaze. “Just keep your promise not to write any articles about me.”

Darius extended his right hand. “Fair enough.”

Peyton shook his hand. “Thank you.”

Darius smiled. “I'm not likely to cross you. After all, the last time I was here, you marched me out of your office.”

Peyton's cheeks pinkened. “I'm sorry about that.” She pulled her hand free.

“I deserved it.” Darius closed his hand to hold on to her warmth. He turned to leave. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

“You do the same.” Peyton's soft response followed him out the door.

Darius smiled as he strode down the empty, quiet hallway. At least this time, he left without assistance. He'd consider that progress in their relationship.

 

 

Kerry crossed the lobby of the main cabin, belly first Saturday afternoon. His ex-wife looked ready to give birth today. Jack rose from his seat behind the registration desk.

“I'll get to the point, Jack.” Kerry stopped in front of the counter.

“That would be refreshing.” He crossed his arms and waited for her to continue.

Kerry squared her shoulders. “The only reason Isaac's returned to this dim little town is because you all invited him to help celebrate your sesquicentennial. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring up our unfortunate past to the press.”

He fought to find his voice. “‘Our unfortunate past'?”

Kerry expelled a breath. “You know what I mean.”

“You're talking about our daughter's death.”

“She wasn't our biological daughter. She was adopted.”

“Does telling yourself that make you feel better about what you did?”

“It's the truth.”

“She was my best friend's daughter and you were my wife. After he and his wife died, we raised Zoey practically from birth.”

“I didn't realize she was sick.” Kerry's words were sharp and strained.

“So you just left her, left us?” Jack's muscles were frozen with remembered anger. “She wasn't the perfect daughter you wanted, so you abandoned her?”