Starting Over at Lane's End (Harlequin Heartwarming) (11 page)

Chapter Fourteen

“I
T
’
S
THE
WEEKEND
,
Gen,” Cary said when he called at eight o’clock on Saturday morning.

After juggling the phone while she struggled to sit up, Gen yawned. “Is there a reason you called me to tell me that?”

“Get up. Let’s go canoeing.”

Gen’s eyes opened wide. “Because?”

“It’s sunny, it’s almost warm and sharing a canoe will place me in close quarters with you.” After a pause, his voice came over the line soft and teasing. “Ever shared a canoe before, Gen?”

She laughed in spite of her sleepiness. “I’ll let you know in a little while.”

“So it’s a yes?”

“Absolutely.” Peering at the clock, she said, “When do you want to meet? Around two or three?”

“I don’t want to wait that long. Meet me in one hour next to the running store near the bike trail. We’ll walk to Joe’s Canoe Shop from there.”

One hour? Was he insane? “Cary—”

“I never pegged you as lazy. Get yourself out of bed, Slate.”

Who was he calling lazy? “I’ll be there.”

“Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and a change of clothes, okay? You might need them in case you fall in.”

“I’ll be ready,” she said, snickering as she hung up the phone.
If she fell in.
Please.

Cary must have forgotten that she was a West Virginia girl who wasn’t afraid of class-V rapids. She certainly didn’t need to be reminded of how to paddle or how to stay in a canoe. But, because she was as eager to be with him as he was with her, she decided to let that secret slide for now. Margaret always said it was good for a woman to have a few secrets.

An hour later, they met next to the trail, fully prepared for their day. Gen and Cary signed waivers, rode an old school bus a few miles to the drop-off place and hiked down a windy path to where their canoe was docked.

Painted bright yellow, it sat on the banks of the Little Miami River, just waiting for them to stop arguing.

“I should definitely sit in the front, Gen,” Cary said one more time. “The river is calm, but there are a couple of sections where some small rapids kick in where you need to paddle hard.”

There was no way Gen was going to let him tell her what to do. “Don’t be quick to judge, Hudson. I’m just as strong as you are.”

“But that won’t help us if you aren’t prepared—”

“Listen, I can canoe,” she fairly shouted. “I’ve been up and down the New River in West Virginia more than a dozen times. Most likely I’m more experienced than you are. So hop in.”

Cary raised an eyebrow. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier, before I talked about river safety for twenty minutes?”

She grinned. “Because you seemed to think you knew everything and I knew nothing. I wanted you to realize what a goof you were being.”

“I guess I was being a goof,” he said with a smile. “I just want you happy.”

Just like that, her competitiveness melted. “I am happy.”

“Good.” He waved to the canoe. “All right, get in then. You lead the way.”

She didn’t argue with that. In fact, she couldn’t resist teasing him a little bit as she stowed her gear in the canoe. “Will your feelings be hurt if you sit behind me while I take the lead?”

After a moment, he grinned evilly. “Not in the slightest. As a matter of fact, I’m going to love having you in front of me.”

That little comment just about made her trip on a root sticking out of the bank. Gen saved herself in time and hopped in. Cary pushed their canoe into the river and swung inside expertly. As the gentle current pulled them from shore, Cary got comfortable behind her.

Before she knew it, she was sitting snugly in between his legs, her back against his chest. Although it felt good, she chided, “You know, we don’t have to sit so close together. There’s plenty of room, probably another foot behind you.”

“I disagree, Slate.” To her surprise, he pushed her ponytail to one side and kissed her nape. “I think this is exactly how we should be sitting.”

Gen dipped her paddle in the water, thinking as they floated that Cary might just have a point. His arms felt strong around her, his lips tempting and sure as he brushed them a little lower along the curve of her shoulder.

As the current propelled them forward, Gen leaned back a little more, enjoying the feel of his hands wrapped around her waist. “I’ve never canoed like this,” she murmured. “It’s nice.”

“It’s very nice.”

As a wave of contentment washed over her, Gen closed her eyes for a moment. Suddenly their canoe rocked.

Startled, she popped open her eyes and saw that they were coasting right toward a large boulder jutting out of the water. “Rock! Big rock!” she called out, sounding like an idiot.

Immediately Cary sat up and pushed his paddle into the water. He started rowing backward frantically.

The canoe righted for a split second, then rocked again as Cary scooted away from her. Gen thrust her paddle into the water on the opposite side of the canoe.

That’s when it became apparent that their jerky movements were no match for the river. After floating past the boulder, their canoe pitched once, twice, then promptly tipped over.

Gen and Cary landed in the water with a noisy splash.

Quickly he grabbed at the boat with one hand and her with the other. As the icy currents rushed around them, they treaded water, and Gen was thankful they were strong swimmers.

After tossing both paddles into the canoe, Cary said, “You okay?”

“I’m fine, but my ego’s been better,” she replied with a laugh as she grabbed the side of the canoe, as well. “Maybe I shouldn’t have acted so cocky about my abilities.”

Once they stabilized the boat, they climbed in. Cary laughed. “I think we should concentrate on rowing from now on.”

Too wet to argue, Gen relaxed as Cary got them back on course. Then, as the canoe floated safely through the current again, she knew there was nowhere else she’d rather be on a Saturday morning.

“Let’s do this again real soon,” she said.

“Anytime you want, Gen. Anytime at all.”

* * *

I
N
BETWEEN
HER
TIME
in Pat Brown’s classroom and patrolling the school, Gen did some research into Jimmy Aiken’s history. After speaking with several teachers and Jimmy’s parents she found out the boy had been involved with a few minor misdemeanors. When he was fourteen, he’d been caught by the police trying to buy cigarettes. Another time, he’d done some underage drinking.

However, by all accounts, the boy had been on the straight and narrow ever since he’d been chosen to be on the varsity basketball squad. Coach Jackson revealed that he’d had more than a few talks with Jimmy about expectations...and consequences.

Now it seemed the only thing bothering the boy was a certain blonde cheerleader who had eyes for someone else. However, although Jimmy had cleaned himself up, it was still possible he was the one responsible for all the recent mischief. Turned out that Coach Jackson hadn’t held practices during the afternoon Melissa’s tires had been slashed or when Gen’s own cruiser had been spray painted.

While keeping Jimmy in mind as a possible suspect, Gen increased her efforts to discover who might be creating so much havoc in the school. In the meantime, she also did her best to fit in.

It was amazing how things
didn’t
change as a person got older. Gen still hoped people wanted to sit with her at lunch and still didn’t want to be the new girl. Though she and Cary had sat together a few times, Gen knew focusing on her budding relationship while she was on duty wouldn’t further the investigation or her position in town. She needed to be clearheaded and alert when she talked to other teachers, and being with Cary made everything else fade into the background.

Luckily she’d made a friend in Christy, as well as a few other women.

Gen had also taken pains to get to know Amy better.

The girl really did need a friend. She looked so sad, so eager for attention, Gen couldn’t help but compare herself to her. High school had been hard for Gen, always being in Margaret’s shadow. No matter what Gen did, she never seemed to measure up to her sister’s beauty, grades or reputation. Though she’d pretended she didn’t care, Gen had desperately wanted to be known just as Gen, not as Margaret Slate’s little sister.

As they walked down the hall, Amy seemed a little more distant than the last time they’d talked. So far, she’d hardly met Gen’s gaze. Instead she focused on her feet.

“Is everything okay?” Gen asked.

“No.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“Not unless you know how to get my dad to pay attention to me. He was going to take me shopping last night but got home too late.”

“My dad was always busy, too.” Studying the girl, Gen asked, “Shopping for anything special?”

“Maybe. I...wanted something to wear to the next basketball game.”

Gen was surprised. Everyone had been supercasual at the games she’d gone to, just dressed in simple jeans and sweatshirts. “I hope he has time to take you shopping soon.”

“I do, too.” Amy turned to Gen, her brown eyes looking bigger than usual in her pale face. “Everyone who matters is going to be at the game.”

“I guess so. Anyone special you’re hoping to see?”

For a moment Gen was sure Amy was going to tell her. But then she shook her head. “Forget I said anything.”

“If you need a friend to shop with, I could take you.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “I don’t think so.”

Gen didn’t know whether to be amused or offended. “I’ll see you later, Amy.”

But, once again, Amy had already taken off.

Chapter Fifteen

“G
EN
,
WAIT
UP
!”
Cary called as she exited the building on Wednesday.

As Gen turned to watch him approach, she smiled. He was loping again, just as he had the first time they’d met. Of course, now she doubted she’d refuse any offer he sent her way. “Hey! How was your day?”

Warmth slid into his eyes. “Good...and on its way to getting better.”

Her stomach tightened when she felt his gaze settle on her lips. Oh, it was dangerous for her to be anywhere near Cary Hudson.

Acting as if he hadn’t just said anything suggestive, he grinned. “I was going to go pick up Sludge and take him to Paxton Lake Park. He loves it there...lots of trees and statues to inspect. Why don’t you bring Sadie along?”

Going to the park sounded good, and bringing the beagles sounded even better. “Tell me where and when and I’ll be there.”

After quickly giving her directions, he looked at his watch. “It’s four-thirty now. Meet you at the park in thirty minutes?”

“I’ll be there.”

* * *

P
AXTON
L
AKE
P
ARK
WAS
exactly as Cary had described it. Filled with statues, there were a hundred things for a hound to sniff and explore, making it a beagle paradise.

Comfy in her jogging outfit and tennis shoes, Gen grinned as she spied Cary. Dressed in a torn red sweatshirt, faded cargo shorts and beat-up tennis shoes, he looked as if he’d just crawled out from behind a rock.

He laughed when she told him that. “You, on the other hand, look like you’re modeling workout gear.”

“Ha-ha.”

“Seriously, you look pretty, Gen.”

Those simple words brought forth a rush of pleasure.

Gesturing to his own ratty clothes, he said, “I’ve learned never to wear good clothes while walking Sludge.”

“I haven’t forgotten our hike, but they seem relaxed and happy today. Sludge seems particularly mild-mannered right now.”

“You weren’t here the day he spotted a group of rabbits and followed them across a muddy field. Or when he bit though his leash and chased a four-year-old.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t.”

“Oh, he didn’t want the kid. Just his ice-cream cone.”

Taking a closer look at Sludge, Gen patted Sadie. “Sadie might be constantly hungry, but she’s not a menace.”

Cary looked skeptical. “Yet.” With a motion of his hand, he led the way. Slowly they walked through the park, Cary pointing out various statues and the dates they were dedicated.

The day was glorious. After twenty minutes, Gen pulled off her hooded jacket and tied it around her waist. Sadie and Sludge inspected each other and the statues, but generally minded their manners.

“It sounds like you come here a lot,” she observed.

“I do. See the church with the white steeple in the distance? That was my dad’s. I spent many afternoons over here while he did ‘just one more thing.’ Once, Dean and I spent a whole summer here, playing Frisbee baseball. We had a blast.”

“Bases were statues?”

“Yep. Almost ran over an old guy sleeping in the sun one day. Scared him half to death. Boy, we got in trouble for that.”

His life seemed so quaint. So normal. Easy. Gen wondered if she’d ever felt that connected to her sister or her parents. More often than not she’d spent her time trying to get out from under their scrutiny.

Woof!

Startled by Sludge’s sudden deep howl, Gen glanced at the dog in alarm. “I wonder what—”

Woof, woof!

Sadie pulled on her leash as though her life were on the line. In her confusion, Gen lost her grip on Sadie. Unfortunately Sludge pulled away from Cary, too.

Before they knew it, the dogs were off, their leashes trailing behind them like kite tails. They barked madly as they dashed over an expanse of grass, then over a bed of shining daffodils. An elderly lady walking a golden retriever hastily stepped out of their path.

And still they ran.

“Oh, no,” Cary muttered. “Look!”

Gen gasped as she saw the dogs’ target—two teenagers eating a large pepperoni pizza on the grass.

“They’re picnicking!” she yelled, imagining what was coming next.

“They’re being attacked,” Cary corrected, as with one mighty howl Sludge leaped forward, Sadie at his heels.

Gen groaned.

The two kids yelped in surprise.

Sadie, that beast, howled again.

Sludge just stuck his muzzle in the middle of the pizza pie and opened wide.

Within seconds, the two beagles were chomping as if they’d found nirvana.

Cary reached them first. “Sludge, you horrible animal. What am I going to do with you?”

Sludge burped.

Hastily Cary wrapped the end of the leash around his hand. “Sorry about this, kids,” he told the teens.

“Mr. Hudson, your dog sucks. I used my last twenty to buy this,” the boy said.

After grabbing Sadie, Gen looked regretfully at the teenagers. “I’m really sorry about your pizza. The leashes slipped.”

“The dogs have no manners,” Cary finished. Fishing in his pocket, he pulled out a bill. “Brandon, here’s twenty dollars to make up for our dogs’ deplorable behavior.”

“I really am sorry. These dogs...they egg each other on,” Gen added. “They also haven’t learned to listen.”

“They haven’t learned to do much,” Cary mumbled.

Brandon looked from Gen, then to Cary and back to Gen again. “You’re the new cop.”

“I am.”

With a grin, Brandon cast a sideways glance Cary’s way. “Dating, Mr. Hudson?”

The teen’s smirk said a thousand words. Cary wasn’t inclined to give him any more ammunition for gossip at school. “Maybe.”

“How’s it going?”

Cary’s cheeks began to redden. “My dog just got loose and ate your pizza. So far, pretty good.”

Brandon pocketed the money. “No hard feelings.”

“Thanks.”

The girl laughed. “See ya, Mr. H.”

Taking the dogs securely by their leashes, Cary and Gen glanced at each other. “I hadn’t planned on this.”

“What? Seeing students?”

“The attack of the beagles.”

“If you had planned it, I’d be pretty impressed. Not every guy can summon dogs to be completely unruly on command.” Now that the adventure was over, Gen threw back her head and laughed. “You trotting over those flowers was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

Cary soon joined in. “I thought you were never going to help me. For a moment you looked as stiff as those statues!”

She tried to catch her breath. “Did you see the way Brandon stood in front of his girl?”

“As if he was going to save her from Sludge’s vicious appetite.” Cary threw an arm around Gen’s shoulders as they walked back toward the parking lot. “So...you okay?”

Gen leaned her head on his shoulder. “Other than being a bit unprepared for a ‘relaxing’ day in the park? I’m fine. Thanks for this. I haven’t laughed so hard in ages. It...did me good.”

“It did me good, too.” He dropped his arm.

She missed his touch already. “So, see you at school tomorrow?”

“Yeah. See you, Slate,” he muttered right before he pulled her to him and kissed her.

She wrapped her arms around him, just as Sadie howled again.