Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
The crunch of Ferd’s footfalls kept her company. Running was lonely. The throbbing in her leg would be a companion for a while, but it wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind. Her new running shoes wrapped a little too tightly around her arches, sending slicing pain to the center of her foot.
Why do I do this?
Footsteps on gravel behind her sent tension up her back. Duke fell into step alongside her, forcing her to release her breath and grin.
“Didn’t expect to see you around these parts so soon?”
She waited a few paces to answer. “Got back yesterday evening. I have one more month to rest and I’m going to take it.”
“Is that a threat?” Duke chuckled.
“No. It’s a promise.”
He ran alongside her in silence for a while. “I was able to keep my phone number. In case you need it.”
“I hope I don’t. No offense, but someone looking for peace hopes they don’t have to call the cops.”
He remained silent for another few minutes. “I hope you get the rest you need and deserve too. Everything go okay with the drive?”
She grinned. “Yeah, actually it did. I told Connor everything on the way. No hiding secrets from my brother.”
He nodded, and she got the feeling he wanted to know. “I’m not ready to tell you yet. I’m sorry.”
He held up a hand of dismissal. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re finding a place to land. Seemed like you didn’t have that.”
“Didn’t realize I was so transparent.” And when had she shared so much with Duke?
“I’m an investigator. It’s my job to notice. Couldn't have solved it without you.”
She nodded and turned down the Wayside driveway. Duke ran along with her.
“I thought you’d turn around. Aren’t you parked by the lake?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Just making sure you get all the way home. It’s who I am.”
“You’re a good egg, Duke Campose.”
Under the big wooden entrance to Wayside, she caught her breath at the sight of the rising sun. Maybe, just maybe, this was where she belonged. For now, that was enough.