Chapter 26
26
Rachel
L ove wasn’t worth the heartache.
Rachel knew that now.
This kind of hollowness she felt in her chest was by far the worst she’d experienced, and that included when she’d realized that she wasn’t alone in the world—that she had a sister.
Sure, she had adoring parents, but there was always something that separated them from her in some way. They loved her. They wanted to have a child of their own. However, Rachel still felt a bigger, stronger connection with Athena that she couldn’t obtain with her adoptive parents.
Likewise, Hudson had occupied a part of her heart that she hadn’t known needed to be filled. Now that he was gone, she felt that ache distinctly. There were times during the day when she’d clutch her chest over her heart and just wait for the sharp pains to dull into a numbing ache.
“It’s going to be okay.”
Rachel jumped and stared at Mateo with unseeing eyes. “What?”
“He’s an idiot, I’ll give you that. But whatever this is—whatever the reason he has, I promise it’s going to end up okay. Hudson is a lot of things, but he’s not intentionally vindictive.”
“No,” she whispered, unable to use her voice. “I never thought he was.”
Mateo crouched down and scratched Odin behind the ears. The dog hadn’t moved from his spot on the front porch. He stared out at the road, and any time a truck rumbled by, he’d lift his head. Rachel couldn’t tell if he was trying to protect the house or if he was depressed and waiting for Hudson to return.
She could understand the second part. She certainly hadn’t felt this out of sorts in ages. Never had she thought that Hudson would just up and leave without a word. He was supposed to come back from his little temper tantrum and tell her she was right.
It wasn’t smart to stay here when someone was out to get her. Couldn’t he see that? Maybe if she was the only target, she’d be able to stay. But the second the person started to target the people she cared about, that was when she knew she needed to do something.
There was one big problem.
This land that she’d bought—it called to her even now. Her heart was here. It didn’t matter that Mr. Grant had offered her the moon to leave and run a charity that she could connect with. This sanctuary was a passion project that was currently yelling the loudest in her head.
Mateo glanced up at her from where he still crouched. “Rachel?”
She jumped and glanced down at him. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
His firm expression was more than easy to read. He was worried. He might not be worried about her. He could be worried about the dog. He could be worried about Hudson. She wasn’t na?ve enough to believe he would waste any of that worry on a person who didn’t belong.
Mateo got to his feet and folded his arms. “When was the last time you got a decent amount of sleep?”
She brushed him off, moving to the edge of the porch. “I didn’t ask you to come here to check on me.”
“No, you asked me to come here and check on the dog when what you really wanted was to talk to Hudson. But Odin is fine, and Hudson?—”
Rachel spun around, her face flushing as she flung a hand in the dog’s direction. “He’s been out here since Hudson left. He doesn’t move.”
“Is he eating?”
“Well, yeah?—”
“Is he drinking?”
“Of course, but?—”
“And if he’s in control of his bowels, then I’d say he’s doing exactly what his master wanted him to do.” He continued to pet the dog with a thoughtful expression.
Rachel’s mouth dropped open, the implication becoming clear. “You think Hudson told him to stand guard?”
Mateo shrugged as he got to his feet. “The whole reason Hudson got that dog was to protect you. Just because Odin followed him around when he was here doesn’t mean anything. The dog knows what’s important to his master.”
She continued to stare at him, unwilling or unable to accept what Mateo was saying. If Hudson cared about her so deeply, then why wasn’t he coming back to work through this? If she were honest with herself, she’d admit she already knew the answer. Selling the property meant she was giving up. The only reason to sell was to take on this new charity. As much as she might want Hudson to follow her to the city, she knew deep down that he would rather get trampled by a horse.
Rachel turned her gaze to the dog, realizing Odin was looking at her with his soulful eyes. She swallowed hard, unwilling to show Mateo any more weakness. “Well, based on what I’m seeing, I would almost rather that Hudson took Odin with him. He probably needs that dog more than me.”
Mateo gave her a pointed look, all the while saying nothing. He clearly didn’t agree, but he wasn’t willing to argue with her. At least he was smart. He glanced across the way toward the rubble of the barn. “I’m glad no one got hurt.”
Her ability to keep her expression smooth failed her and she scowled at him. “ Hudson got hurt.”
“I mean—What I was trying to say…” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “Hudson got out okay. The animals got out okay. You didn’t lose anyone.”
She shook her head. Didn’t he understand that she had lost someone? Probably not. “None of what happened was okay. The people who did this aren’t going to stop. Don’t tell me you agree with Hudson?”
“I haven’t talked to him since he left. I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Mateo said quietly.
“If it were up to him, we’d stick it out until the whole place has been burned to the ground. I’m not willing to risk that.”
Mateo peered at her, his eyes squinting slightly. “What are you going to do?”
She lifted her hands and dropped them to her sides. “I don’t know.” What Rachel really needed to do was find someone she could speak to who would be able to listen to her and tell her that she wasn’t going crazy. Hudson wasn’t that person, and she had a feeling that Mateo wasn’t either. “Thanks for coming out to check on Odin. It’s getting late.” Her words were a clear indication the conversation was over, but Mateo didn’t move right away.
Finally, he nodded. “Call me if you need anything else.”
She watched him head back to his truck, and only when he’d driven away did she head back inside.
“Who was that guy?” Athena sat up from the couch she’d been sitting on near the front window in the living room. She glanced toward the window once more, but there was nothing to see. “Does he know where Hudson is?”
Rachel considered ignoring her sister and going straight to her room. She wasn’t in the right headspace for a long conversation, which was likely what would take place with Athena. Unfortunately, her sister had learned that it was easier to follow Rachel around and pester her than wait for her to be ready to talk.
She moved into the living room and collapsed onto the other side of the couch. “That’s Mateo.”
“Who’s Mateo?” There was an edge in her voice. It wasn’t that she seemed to be accusing Rachel of anything, but more that she was worried—worried that Rachel might be acting in a way that wasn’t herself.
Rachel gave Athena a sharp look. “He’s Hudson’s friend, okay? He’s the one who raises the working dogs.”
Understanding flickered in Athena’s eyes. “Oh. Is Odin?—”
“Apparently, Odin is doing his job.” Rachel pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. “I get the feeling that Mateo thinks I need to stick it out, too.”
“Did he say that?”
Rachel shook her head. “Not in so many words. But I could tell he didn’t think I was dealing with this the right way.”
“Maybe you’re not.”
There it was. Athena had her own perspective on this issue, and she’d been holding back. Rachel gave her a dark look. “Not you too.”
She lifted her hands in defense. “I’m not saying you’re making the wrong choices. I’m saying that you’re dealing with some heavy stuff, and you might need some help. It’s not a bad thing to ask for some, you know?”
Rachel gritted her teeth. This was starting to sound like Athena just didn’t want to get on her bad side. “What if I decided to sell this place? That charity that I was offered… I could do a lot of good.”
“No one doubts that,” Athena hurried to say. “If that’s where you need to be, then do it. I won’t stop you. I’ll support you all the way.”
“You will?”
Athena moved closer to her on the couch. “Of course I will.”
“Even if you don’t think it’s the right move?”
Her sister smiled in the way only an older sister could. “I don’t have to agree with you to support you. I have no idea what you’re going through, but I know you have a good head on your shoulders. You’re going to figure this out.”
Before Rachel had the chance to tell her sister how much she appreciated her input, Odin went crazy. His barks and growls remained close to the front door, indicating he hadn’t gone anywhere. Athena glanced out the window, then frowned. “There’s someone in a suit in the driveway. You expecting anyone?”
Rachel shook her head as she got to her feet and peered through the window into the night. She didn’t recognize the man who kept his distance while Odin growled and sent a warning that one more step would result in injury. Each step she took toward the door filled her with a new sense of trepidation. She couldn’t explain it, but something told her not to go out on the porch. But she couldn’t risk Odin completely losing his cool and charging after the stranger.
She opened the door, and Odin moved to the edge of the porch. “Odin, no,” she said firmly. But the dog wouldn’t listen. Rachel glanced toward the individual. “I’m sorry, but he’s not my dog.”
The man kept his eyes trained on Odin briefly, then scowled at her. He held up a business card. “I heard you might be selling.”
The fact that he was here after dark was only one of the red flags of this situation. “I don’t know where you heard that, but?—”
He nodded to the barn. “Looks like you’ve had some problems.” There was something about the way he said it that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Her eyes narrowed and she inched closer to the edge of the porch. Slowly, she reached for Odin’s collar. “Who are you?”
He smirked. “That doesn’t matter.”
“I’m not going to sell my property to someone I can’t vet.”
“That would be very unwise, Ms. Walton.” He shoved his card back into his pocket. “The people I work for are very interested in the property. They were displeased to discover you’d swooped in and taken it out from under them.”
Understanding dawned on her. He was with the developers. “You,” she hissed, “you’re one of the ones who’s been causing all these problems.” Rachel felt sick to her stomach.
“I’d be careful what kind of accusations you fling. You might realize that it only causes a bigger mess.” His voice was more menacing than before.
“Get off my property,” Rachel seethed. “I won’t ask you twice.” Now Odin was pulling to charge down the steps, having felt the change in the dynamic between Rachel and the visitor.
The man glanced at Odin, fear flickering in his gaze. He shot one more dark look in her direction, then made his way to his car and drove away. He’d only accomplished one thing with his visit. She knew who she was dealing with, and with that knowledge came a fresh wave of determination. Rachel refused to be bullied into leaving. That man might not think she could tie the crimes to them, but he’d never come up against a Walton.