Reunion Pass: An Eternity Springs novel (18 page)

Pitiful, Murphy. You’re just pitiful.

She paddled hard for a few minutes, chasing off her demons, and searching once again for that elusive peace until a familiar voice hailed her. “Lori! Careful, dear! There’s a submerged log about ten feet from your bow.”

“Yikes! Oh, wow!” Lost in her own thoughts, Lori hadn’t noticed Celeste propelling toward her. The older woman paddled a sparkly gold kayak that was uniquely Celeste Blessing. As usual, just seeing her made Lori smile. She dug her paddle in the water and changed course, avoiding the submerged log and steering toward her friend. “Thanks, Celeste!”

“You’re welcome. I just happened to notice it. I’d have hated for you to bump it and tip over. Hummingbird Lake stays unbearably cold all year long. Remember that Fourth of July after your father came home? The kayak race?”

Lori laughed. “Oh, yes. I’ll never forget that day. Mom and Dad both ended up in the drink.” And she’d ended up a basket case after discovering that her mother was sleeping with the enemy—Cam Murphy.

Without verbal communication, the two women turned their kayaks and began to paddle in the same direction. Lori idly thought that spending time with Celeste was like a double dose of being on the water. The woman soothed just by being near.

“You had a terrible frown on your face before I hailed you, sweetheart. Want to talk about it?”

No. She absolutely didn’t. That didn’t explain why she suddenly ran on from the mouth. “You know that Chase and I were … close.”

“He was your first love.”

My only love.
“Yes.”

“You are a little nervous about him and his wife living in Eternity Springs.”

“Yes!”

“You are trying to figure out how to approach the situation.”

“Are you a fortune-teller?”

Her laughter rang out across the sapphire blue of the lake. “I’m simply observant.”

Not simply observant, Lori thought. Uncanny. Prescient. Wise. So ridiculously wise. “How do I handle this, Celeste? Eternity Springs is my home. If it were a big city I could go about my business and not worry about running into him when we both reach for a can of corn. But it’s not a big city. It’s a small town. I can’t avoid them. I don’t
want
to avoid them. I want it to be easy and natural and not tear my heart in two.”

“Completely understandable.”

“So, what do I do? How do I make that happen?”

”Oh, darling. You don’t need me to tell you this. You know.”

“I don’t—”

“Sure you do. Robert Louis Stevenson said it best: ‘A friend is a gift you give yourself.’”

Out of the blue, tears stung Lori’s eyes. She blinked them away. “I should have taken the job in Seattle.”

“Bosh.” Kindness and compassion gleamed in Celeste’s blue-eyed gaze. “No one ever said that being a small-town girl was easy, but I have total faith that you will rise to the challenge, dear. Look at your forebears. You are both a Murphy and a Reese. Your roots are sunk deep into the soil of Eternity Springs, and you will stand as strong as the mountain that holds your family name. Don’t doubt yourself.”

“It’s hard.”

“Life isn’t meant to be easy.” Celeste pulled her paddle from the water and rested it across the kayak. She waited until Lori met her gaze to add, “But at the same time, you must draw upon lessons of the past and stand strong against the winds of adversity. Generosity of heart provides nutrients to the soil in which grow the roots of strength.”

Lori wished she had a piece of paper and pen to write the sentiment down. Sometimes Celeste’s advice took study to thoroughly understand. This, she feared, was one of those times. Winds of adversity. Generosity of heart.
I hope I remember.

“Now, I must paddle on. I’m meeting the Turners for a burger at Murphy’s Pub tonight. Enjoy the rest of your evening, love.”

“You, too, Celeste,” Lori said absently.

She watched the older woman paddle away at a speed that belied her age. Lori could only hope that she was half the athlete that Celeste was when she was her age.
And just how old is she, anyway?

Old enough to have stored up enough wisdom to fill Hummingbird Lake and the charm to impart it without coming across as lecturing. Funny. If her mother had said exactly the same thing as Celeste, it probably would have made more sense—but it wouldn’t have made nearly as big of an impression. If her dad had said it … forget it. No way would Cam Murphy use any sort of language that even brushed upon lyrical.

Celeste managed to say just the right thing in exactly the right way. Because even though her advice today was a bit convoluted and less than clear, she’d managed to help Lori figure out how to solve her problem.

She needed to continue what she’d begun by taking the puppy to Chase. She needed to be Chase’s friend. Chase
and
Lana’s friend. Period.

Lori filled her cheeks with air then blew out a harsh breath. Lovers to friends, rather than the other way around. Not the usual story twist, true, but doable.

Necessary.

Maybe in the next couple of weeks or so Chase’s recovery from his ordeal would have reached the point where he was ready for a double date with her and—well … hmm. She hadn’t been on a single real date since moving home. Brick would step up and fill in if she asked him, but she hated to use the man. Besides, from a couple of comments he’d let slip on their trip to Durango on Saturday, a newcomer to town had caught his notice.

Probably what she should do is begin by inviting Lana to lunch or maybe for happy hour at Murphy’s Pub.

Happy hour. That sounded like a better idea.
I could arrive a little early and belt back some liquid courage.

A wry smile on her lips, Lori dipped her paddle back into the cold, blue waters of Hummingbird Lake. Friends with Lana Wilkerson. Who’da thunk it? Excluding anything Timberlake related, could they possibly find any common interests? Was Lana an animal person? Lori had never heard any mention of Lana and pets. Wonder what she would think about Chase’s new position as a temporary foster dad?

Maybe they could talk about the outdoors. Except, Lana would probably find this kayak ride as boring as could be. For Lori, it was just about perfect. Lana made a living challenging nature. Lori found contentment in experiencing it.

Okay, so maybe another subject might work better. Wonder if Lana was a foodie? Lori didn’t bake like her mother, but she loved to experiment in the kitchen. In the past few years, she’d grown to be an excellent cook. And she knew her cheeses, too. Wines, to a point. Okay, she had somewhere to start.

Friendship with Lana Wilkerson soon-to-be Timberlake.

“If I pull this thing off, I’ll have earned a feather for my angel’s wings.”

Two feathers, she decided at the end of the week when she started up to Heartache Falls in order to keep the promised visit with Chase and the dog. Caitlin had called this morning to confirm the dinner they’d planned for this evening, and she’d hesitantly asked if Lori would mind if Lana tagged along.

“I never thought I’d feel sorry for her, but I do,” Caitlin had confessed. “The whole bridal gown shopping trip was just sad. She got a gorgeous dress and she looks fabulous, but … I don’t know … she’s a little desperate.”

Lori had pictured herself in her kayak on Hummingbird Lake and told Caitlin she’d love to have Lana join them.

She played Celtic spa music during her drive, which turned out to be a good thing because when she made the second-to-last hairpin turn before the turnoff to the yurt, she discovered a car pulled over on the side of the road.

Lana. With a flat tire. Looking a bit perplexed.
The woman parasails off the side of mountains. Surely she knows how to change a tire.

Well, Lori couldn’t very well drive right by her. It was time to meet her demons and wrestle them into submission. She braked to a stop behind Lana and opened her car door. “Need some help?”

“Hi, Lori.” Lana looked relieved. “I have a flat tire. I was just trying to decide if I should change it myself or ask Chase to do it. I thought it might be good to give him something to do. I worry about him. He doesn’t seem to have much … energy. What do you think?”

Lori hesitated. “From things Caitlin has said, I think he sounds depressed.”

“I know. I’ve tried to talk to him about seeing a counselor. So have his parents—more than once. We thought we’d give him some time, but if this lethargy lingers too much longer, I think we’ll insist.”

And under the circumstances, you think it’s a good idea for him to get married right away?
But that wasn’t a question Lori had the nerve or the right to ask aloud. Mac and Ali must think it’s okay or Ali wouldn’t have taken Lana wedding-gown shopping. Instead, Lori said, “Caitlin told me she worries that he sits and broods. That’s why I brought a stray dog up here for him to foster. I thought having a puppy around might pull him out of his funk.”

“I’ve met the dog.” Lana’s lack of enthusiasm was obvious. “I’m not a pet person, I’m afraid.”

That’s just plain sad.

“Fostering is temporary.” Lori explained about the pup’s skittishness and the fireworks in town, then added, “I think changing your tire might do Chase some good. I’m headed to the yurt to check on the puppy. Why don’t you ride with me?”

“Okay. Thanks.”

As they climbed into the car, Lori could almost feel feathers popping onto her wings. A few minutes later, they pulled up to the parking area beside the yurt. “I hope he’s not still in bed this time of the day,” Lana murmured.

“I don’t think so,” Lori replied, and the sound of yips and yaps reached her ears. “Listen.”

They followed the happy puppy noises toward a nearby rise, beyond which stretched a rolling alpine meadow. What they found there surpassed even Lori’s hopes.

Chase wore boots, jeans, and a flannel shirt over a T-shirt. Sometime since her last visit, he’d shaved. And now he drew back his arm and threw a yellow tennis ball into the meadow. The puppy raced after it. Retrieved it. Returned it to Chase. “Attaboy, Captain!”

“Oh, my God,” Lana murmured. “He’s smiling. He just laughed! Is that not one of the most beautiful sounds you’ve ever heard?”

“Yes, it is,” Lori agreed.

Score one for the veterinarian.

*   *   *

Movement to his right caught Chase’s attention and he was startled to see his visitors. He’d expected Lori to show up sometime today—she always kept her word—but he didn’t anticipate that she’d arrive with Lana. He didn’t like the disappointment he experienced when seeing them together.

Lana rushed toward him, her expression filled with delight. “Oh, Chase. It’s so wonderful to hear you laugh.”

She threw her arms around him, hugging him hard, and Chase stiffened. He put his hands on her upper arms, not returning her embrace, exactly. Something closer to gently pushing her away. “I thought you went to Denver?”

“We got back last night. It was a great trip. I had a really nice time with your mother and sister.”

“That’s good.”

She explained about her flat tire and told him the car’s location. He said he’d change it, then turned his head and met Lori’s gaze. “You came to pick up your dog? You’ve found a home for him?”

“No. Just checking to see how you and your foster are doing. So, you’ve named him Captain?”

Chase’s lips twisted. “More or less.”

“Any problems? He’s eating and sleeping okay?”

No way did he intend to admit that he let the dog sleep in his bed. “He never shuts up. Did you bring a muzzle for him?”

“What? Are you afraid his barking is disturbing the neighbors?” She took an exaggerated look around. When he narrowed his eyes and scowled at her, she laughed and knelt beside Captain who bounded over to her and started licking her hand. “Aren’t you the cutest thing? Smart, too. How long did it take you to teach him to fetch the ball, Chase?”

“No time at all.” It was ridiculous how much pride he felt at the answer.

“He is cute for a dog,” Lana said, making an obvious effort. “Look at all the shades of gold in his coat. Wish my hairdresser could copy that look.”

Lori smiled. “That would be one expensive hair appointment. Long, too.”

Chase shifted uncomfortably. Something about seeing Lana and Lori together and acting friendly bothered him, but he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what. He was glad when Lori stood and faced him.

“Seriously,” she said. “Do you have any issues or questions about his care?”

He shoved his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. “Actually, I’d like you to take a look at his left front paw. He got into some brambles yesterday. I think I got all the thorns out, but he’s been favoring that paw some.”

While Lori examined all of Captain’s feet, Chase asked a few other questions about puppy care. He hunkered down beside her to point out a concerning bump he’d noticed on Captain’s belly, and as she explained away the bulge, a sudden gust of breeze brought the scent of her wafting over him. Her shampoo, her soap, the fragrance that was uniquely Lori. The familiarity of it all but knocked the breath right out of him.

Yearning washed over him. Yearning for the life, for the love, he’d once had. For the person he’d been before events on the other side of the world changed him forever.

Lori’s gaze met his and something of what he was feeling must have shown in his eyes because she suddenly looked startled. Abruptly, she shot to her feet. Chase slowly rose, his stare never leaving hers.

“I’m glad Captain is doing well,” she said, her voice sounding a little tight. “I need to be going.”

Captain bounded toward Lori, then got distracted by his tail and turned in a circle. Ignoring the dog, Chase reached out and touched her arm. “Lori, I…”

I what? Don’t want you to go? Don’t want to hurt like this anymore?

“Thanks for the ride, Lori,” Lana interjected, using that damned falsely perky voice that grated so on his nerves.

Lana. Chase shut his eyes. Guilt washed over him. Craving Lori right in front of Lana? Is that the sort of jerk he’d become?

Maybe. He didn’t really know who the hell he was. Jerk? Failure?